Key Points
- The second K-Zuma fashion show was held at Strathfield Golf Club in Sydney.
- Nearly 30 amateur models were chosen to take to the runway.
- Up-and-coming designers and local businesses welcomed the event.
When Chang Shin Choi was 30, she suffered a car accident which impacted her lower body function.
More than 30 years later she was making her way down the runway at the K-Zuma fashion show, an event organised by members of Sydney’s Korean community that’s now in its second year.
"While practicing, I was tripping, I couldn't balance, my legs were shaking, and I was in a lot of pain, but I was able to overcome everything thanks to the people who gave strength next to me," Chang Shin told SBS Korean.
Due to her busy schedule as a chef, she had to find time every day for two months to practice her walk while waiting for the train or at work.
"I always feel pleasure at trying to do my best, whether it’s in the kitchen or on the runway," the Sydneysider said.
Mrs Chang Shin Choi at the 2023 K-Zuma Fashion Show Credit: Nanju_photography
The second K-Zuma Fashion Show was held at Strathfield Golf Club in Sydney on 28 October.
‘Zuma’ means married woman in Korean and organisers say they event is about “spreading hope” in the community.
From 60 online applicants, 27 models were selected to take part. The runway was shared by couples, a mother and son, a mother and daughter, and sisters. Some participants travelled from Melbourne to participate.
Grace Na is the director of the King's Angels Ballet Academy and a trainer of models for the event.
She said the show aims to provide a safe space for women from the Korean community who may be tied up with busy schedules.
I want to help them find time for themselves – you can only be happy in the future, if you are happy in the present.Grace Na, model trainer
"Last year, one of the models was diagnosed with cancer at the hospital on the first day of the model competition. She received chemotherapy about three times during the month of training.
“The day before the show, she finished chemotherapy. Her face was swollen, and she had lost a lot of hair, but she participated. Everyone gave her support, and everyone was in one mind," Grace said.
She added that the show is more about providing a support network than showcasing professionals.
"It’s not about professional models, it's about helping women find their confidence. We hope to help them believe in themselves," she said.
From left to right: 2023 K-Zuma Fashion Show trainer Grace Na, fashion designer Sugun Kim, GP Entertainment's Da Young Yang, and Hanbok designer Jasmine Jeong
A helping hand
The show has also been welcomed by up-and-coming designers and local businesses.
Aspiring designer Sugun Kim had the opportunity to showcase his clothes at this year’s event.
"For new fashion designers, it's so hard to get on the runway. If you’re not rich, it’s so hard, because everything must come out of your pocket,” he said.
Sugun has previously been selected for Australian Fashion Week’s Innovators show in 2022 and was named one of the "5 Best Graduates of 2021" at the TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio.
He recalled how after coming to Australia he would wake up at 5am for a cleaning job, work he would continue again in the evening after attending school.
"I had no time to do my assignments late at night or early in the morning, but I became more passionate while studying fashion design."
I hope by participating in an event like this, my clothes can in some way help others chase their dreams and regain the hopes they had when they were young.Sugun Kim, fashion designer
Da Young Yang is the public relations officer for GP Entertainment, the group which staged the event.
She said fashion show aims to cultivate up-and-coming designers and help local businesses.
"We had a big sponsorship offer from a famous brand this year, but after a lot of thought, we decided to decline it politely because it was important to promote Korean fashion brands and contribute to revitalising the local economy."
“Many brands that participated last year told us they made a lot of sales. Almost all those brands were pleased to participate this year again."
2023 K-Zuma Fashion Show Credit: Nanju_photography
"After last year’s show, everyone came up and said, 'Hanbok is so beautiful', 'I didn't know Hanbok was this beautiful',” she said.
“Each model became an ambassador of hanbok, so I experienced the tremendous power of word-of-mouth."
