Beyond luxury labels, handbags with a distinctly Korean touch

Handbags have long served not only as practical accessories, but also as markers of taste and status. While luxury labels continue to dominate the market, a niche category is gaining attention among those looking for something more distinctive: bags inspired by Korean culture and tradition. Gaya Wie, launched by designer Wie Ju-he in 2017, took inspiration from hanok — traditional Korean architecture — and Korea's traditional wooden furniture. “Working abroad, I began thinking about creating des