ROYAL AFFAIR
The History of Whoo celebrates the third annual Whoo Royal Court Banquet by blurring the lines between art and beauty. julie yim reports from Hong Kong
Celebrating the third annual Whoo Royal Court
Banquet
The convergence of Beauty, fashion and Art has existed for centuries, inextricably linking the different worlds through exciting collaborations and pop-ups. These mutually-beneficial collaborations are becoming increasingly common today, providing an external outlet for artists to tap into a new audience outside the art realm to showcase their works. Renowned names such as Jonathan Adler, Balmain, Victoria Beckham and Charlotte Olympia have all participated in collaborations with beauty powerhouses in the past, offering accessibility to consumers who have long coveted their works.
Since its inception in 2003, The History of Whoo has been actively championing Korea’s extensive cultural heritage through its holistic, premium skincare range. The premium brand’s parent company LG Household & Health Care was first appointed by the government of South Korea to raise awareness for the country’s traditional crafts and preserve its ancient art forms. Inspired by the beauty secrets from the empresses of the royal court, The History of Whoo conveys Korean beauty, royal culture and art into one. The revolutionary line of skincare merges the benefits of oriental medicine and scientific advancements packaged into beautifully-intricate packaging which showcases Korean works of art.
As part of the brand’s commitment to preserve and uphold the royal traditional craft, The History of Whoo organised its third annual Whoo Royal Court Banquet event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. This year’s edition was themed The Royal Art – Bichup, Shining Above the World and the main highlight included an exhibition titled Bichup, Royal Art to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the brand’s star product – the Bichup Self-Generating Anti-Aging Essence. The night also marked the global launch of a new luxury product range – Cheonyuldan. The event was graced by Korean actress and brand model Lee Young-ae who was invited to share the secret behind her flawless skin routine despite her hectic schedule and family duties. The other 200 guests who attended comprised press members, opinion leaders and buyers from Asia.
The Bichup, Royal Art exhibition showcased the creative works from seven talented artists from around the region including Yao Jianping (China), Tam Chi-hung (Hong Kong), Kim Jong-sook (South Korea), Wee Hong Ling (Singapore), Jam Wu (Taiwan), Sirivannavari Nariratana (Thailand) and Bui Huu Hung (Vietnam). The artists were invited to share their own interpretations of the Bichup Self-Generating Anti-Aging Essence through their artworks. Singaporean ceramicist Wee Hong Ling paid homage to the significance of the lotus flower which has long enjoyed a special status within the Royal Courts by introducing a lotus painted ceramic teapot, while China embroidery artist Yao Jianping showcased an intricate embroidered artwork titled Phoenix Swooping Across the Great Wall, merging China’s Great Wall with Whoo’s Phoenix brand image.
There was also plenty to be admired that night as the Korean court wedding costumes of King Yeongjo and Queen Jeongsun were on display. Known respectively as Gujangbok and Chijeokui, the costumes were reproduced by needlework expert Lim Sun-ok. Next to the 2018 Bichup Self-Generating Anti-Aging Essence special edition, a display of the ceremonial dresses for royal women in Joseon Dynasty known as Nokwonsam and Hongwonsam also stole the spotlight. A full-scale replica of the chamber of empress, Gyeongbokgung Palace Gyotaejeon further emphasised the brand’s commitment to introducing the beautiful court culture of Korea to the world.