Support for Traditional Craftsmanship

Aiming to reflect on the cultural value of traditional crafts and to create sustainable craft traditions for the future, YÉOL has organized various projects that support craftsmanship, including the YÉOL Artisan of the Year project, the YÉOL Young Craftsman of the Year project, and the Buyeo Culture project.

  • Since 2022, YÉOL has partnered with CHANEL on a shared commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and the spirit of artisans, supporting and promoting the future of Korean craft. This page introduces, year by year, the collaboration between selected master artisans and emerging craft makers along with their works.
  • Every year since 2013, YÉOL has selected one master artisan who displays passion and commitment to traditional craftsmanship and has provided systemic support to their work starting from technical aspects of design, production and packaging to exhibition, promotion and marketing.
  • In 2013, YÉOL also established the “YÉOL Young Craftsman of the Year” to recognize promising young craftsmen. It is aimed at expanding the scope of future handicrafts by encouraging young talent to develop new perspectives on traditional craftsmanship, as well as explore new applications for traditional craft methods.
  • YÉOL carried out a project to reinterpret the traditional crafts of Buyeo that are influenced by the Baekje dynasty. Based on extensive research by the students of the Department of Traditional Arts and Crafts at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, YÉOL created pieces that included ceramics, woodcraft and paintings. YÉOL will continue to support the development of regional culture in Buyeo through collaboration with the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage and local craftsmen.
  • From 2006 to 2012, YÉOL worked to preserve traditional handicraft by supporting the works and exhibitions of traditional craftsmen. Beginning in 2013, YÉOL has reinforced its efforts to support artisans through the ‘YÉOL Artisan of the Year’ and the ‘YÉOL Young Craftsman of the Year’ projects.
  • Since 2013, YÉOL has run a marketplace for direct retailing, where young designers and craftspeople can offer their products at reasonable prices to consumers
  • Since 2011, YÉOL has provided scholarship for students at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage to support the future of Korean traditional craft.
YÉOL x CHANEL

The YÉOL Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Korean cultural heritage and craftsmanship, has partnered with CHANEL since 2022. Built on a shared commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and the spirit of artisans, the two organizations launched this collaboration to support and promote the future of Korean craft. The partnership builds upon the "Artisan and Young Craftsman of the Year" programs, expanding its mission by providing broader support for artisans and emerging craft makers.

Through this collaboration, the program supports artisans in the planning, development, production, and distribution of traditional craft works, fostering sustainable craft practices while encouraging innovation.

The project aims to celebrate Korea's cultural heritage while ensuring the continuity and evolution of traditional craftsmanship for future generations.

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