Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Fashion Design faculty and graduate students demonstrated their research capabilities by winning consecutive awards at the nation's most prestigious conference in costume studies.

JBNU announced that Professor Kim Yeon-ju of the Department of Fashion Design and two students, one graduate and one undergraduate, received one Best Paper Award and two Excellent Paper Awards at the recently held '2026 Spring Conference Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Korean Costume Society'.

The conference, themed 'Creative Reinterpretation of Traditional Costume for the Korean Costume Society's Next 50 Years,' drew domestic and international researchers and featured active scholarly exchange across various sessions.

Professor Kim Yeon-ju presented a paper titled 'Ergonomic Pattern Design and Wearability Evaluation to Improve Movement Functionality of the Inner Lower Garment of Functional Military Cold-Weather Clothing,' receiving the Best Paper Award. The study empirically and quantitatively established design criteria for functional military uniforms. It proposed a scientific pattern design methodology that, based on quantitative design using 3D human body shape analysis, can simultaneously enhance movement functionality and wearer satisfaction, earning high praise.

Kim Hyun-ju, a student in the integrated bachelor's-master's program (advisor Yeom Hye-jeong), received an Excellent Paper Award for research titled 'Product Analysis and Design Planning of Hanji Yarn Socks.' By examining the unique material properties of hanji yarn and analyzing 201 types and designs of commercial products, the study developed three hanji yarn sock designs targeting people in their 20s and 30s that combine Korean and contemporary sensibilities. The work drew attention for highlighting the commercialization potential of traditional materials and proposing concrete design development directions. It is particularly promising as a result of joint research with a consortium company of the RISE project.

Undergraduate student Shim Eun-jin (advisor Shim Su-in) received an Excellent Paper Award for 'Analysis of Eco-friendly Fiber Use Types in the Domestic Infant and Children's Clothing Market.' The study comprehensively analyzed domestic kidswear brands' eco-fiber strategies from a 4P (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) perspective and identified four differentiated types depending on each brand's eco-fiber application methods and communication strategies. The research was selected for demonstrating that sustainable fashion strategies can become competitive when organically combined with pricing, distribution, and information delivery methods beyond mere material choice.

Professor Kim Yeon-ju of JBNU's Department of Fashion Design said, 'These achievements reflect comprehensive recognition of our research capabilities across diverse fields, including functional clothing design, modern reinterpretation of traditional materials, and sustainable fashion strategies. We will continue to advance practical research that connects academia and industry.'