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Gyeongbok Palace in Jongno District, central Seoul / Newsis |
By Park Han-sol
Italian luxury fashion house Gucci has announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) of Korea designed to preserve and safeguard Gyeongbok Palace.
Gucci President and CEO Marco Bizzarri signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Choi Eung-chon, head of the CHA, Nov. 1, promising cooperation on future restoration projects of the historic Joseon-era royal palace, the company said, Wednesday.
"Beauty serves as a continuous source of inspiration for Gucci, but it also requires constant care and effort," Bizzarri said. "The brand's cooperation with the CHA will help safeguard the rich artistic heritage of this historical site."
The global brand announced previously its plan to host a fashion show at the palace on the first day of November to showcase its "Gucci Cosmogonie Collection Seoul." The celestial-themed event was to mark Alessandro Michele's debut show in Korea to present the collection unveiled earlier at Castel Del Monte in southern Italy's Apulia in May, in addition to several new looks that have not been released anywhere else.
However, the runway show was canceled on Oct. 30 out of respect following the Itaewon tragedy that claimed 156 lives in a deadly crowd crush the day before.