Rediscovering Heritage Through Fabric: Judy Kim’s Journey with Bojagi

Leaving the Fast Fashion World

When Judy Kim made the bold decision to leave her high-powered position in the American fashion industry, she was not just stepping away from a successful two-decade career; she was confronting the uncomfortable truths of fast fashion. The glitz and glamour of her role at I.N.C. International Concepts, Macy’s private label, masked the deep environmental and ethical costs associated with textile manufacturing.

Kim’s rise from intern to vice president was marked by achievements, yet witnessing the pollution tied to textile factories in Asia shattered her sense of accomplishment. “What I was doing was not a positive impact — it was actually negative. My heart was really sad,” she shared during a recent interview with The Korea Times. This realization prompted a soul-searching journey back to her roots.

A Journey to Korea

A trip to Korea became a pivotal moment for Kim, allowing her to reconnect with her heritage. For the first time, she saw the beauty in traditional Korean cloth known as "bojagi." This centuries-old fabric wrapping symbolizes warmth, hospitality, and respect, and it resonated deeply with her.

“If Korean folk art could be distilled into a single vibrant form, bojagi might capture its essence best,” she remarked. Historically, Koreans have used these patchwork textiles to wrap and protect everything from gifts to food, making bojagi more than just cloth; it’s a symbol of fortune and hospitality.

The Significance of Bojagi

Bojagi holds a special place in Korean culture, representing not only practicality but also emotional connections. Kim recalled her childhood memories of her grandmother wrapping her lunch in bojagi, emphasizing its role in family traditions. Unlike Japan’s furoshiki, which evolved from bathing customs, bojagi has royal origins, used in ceremonial exchanges within Joseon’s royal palaces, symbolizing dignity and fortune.

This rich history, combined with the environmental benefits of reusable wrapping, inspired Kim to introduce bojagi to the United States. “I realized there was no brand for bojagi in America. No one was sharing this tradition, and I could be that person,” she reflected. This realization became her opportunity to reconnect with her heritage while reimagining sustainability in fashion.

The Birth of Bojagi Studio

In 2023, Kim founded Bojagi Studio in San Francisco, where she designs and creates what she calls modern bojagi. While her pieces are rooted in Korean tradition, they feature large-format geometric compositions inspired by modern art, crafted from natural fabrics like linen rather than polyester.

For Kim, sustainability is inseparable from heritage. She aims for her bojagi to be both biodegradable and beautiful, embodying a philosophy of zero waste in gift-giving. Each piece serves multiple roles, from door-hanging textiles to wine bags, sparking curiosity among Western audiences while rekindling nostalgia for Korean Americans.

Challenges and Growth

Despite her passion, Kim faces challenges in promoting her work. Adoption of bojagi remains slow, with interest primarily from environmentally conscious consumers and Korean Americans seeking reconnection. “People often stop to admire and ask, ‘What is this?’” she noted. However, transforming that curiosity into active adoption is a gradual process.

Mandoo Club: A Culinary Connection

Alongside her work with bojagi, Kim founded the Mandoo Club during the pandemic, a hands-on cooking workshop focused on Korea’s beloved dumplings. With family roots in tailoring and cooking, she naturally embraced both crafts. During COVID-19, she began teaching online mandu workshops as a way to connect with friends and seek comfort.

“I felt alone and sad, and I needed comfort. Koreans say their language of comfort and love is food,” she explained. This initiative evolved into a cultural bridge, allowing participants to bond over the shared experience of making mandu, which is quintessential Korean comfort food.

Embracing K-Culture

Kim acknowledges that the global wave of Korean culture, propelled by K-pop, dramas, and beauty products, has made her work more accessible. Young Americans now approach her workshops with familiarity, recalling bojagi scenes from historical dramas, while older Korean immigrants rediscover an art they thought forgotten.

“It feels like timing worked in my favor,” she said. “The world is ready to embrace these traditions as both heritage and innovation.”

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Kim envisions expanding bojagi’s presence beyond personal use to larger spaces such as hotels, restaurants, and public art installations. She dreams of seeing bojagi recognized not just as craft but as an emblem of sustainable design in cities worldwide.

At its core, her work blends comfort and connection. Through fabric and food, Kim aims to heal the fractures between cultures, generations, and individuals. “As immigrants, so many of us were taught to forget,” she reflected. “Through bojagi and mandu, I am reclaiming what was hidden — and sharing it so others don’t have to forget.”

Kim aspires to be an ambassador for bojagi culture, ensuring that Korean heritage remains vibrant and alive in contemporary society.