Chanel States "Created and Donated a Separate Jacket"
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Chanel stated that the Chanel jacket worn and then returned by Kim Jung-sook, the spouse of President Moon Jae-in, during her visit to France in 2018 is currently kept at Chanel's headquarters in France.
A Chanel Korea official said on the 6th, "The jacket worn by Kim Jung-sook in 2018 was lent once by the local Chanel press team," adding, "The clothing (which Kim returned after wearing) is currently stored in Chanel Patrimony."
The Chanel Patrimony at the French headquarters is a historical exhibition hall that stores Chanel products. It is reported that the jacket is not currently on display for public viewing.
First Lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, and Brigitte Macron, wife of President Emmanuel Macron, are taking a commemorative photo in front of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, on October 15, 2018. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim wore this jacket during a meeting with Brigitte Macron, the spouse of French President Emmanuel Macron, during her visit to France in October 2018.
Following the recent controversy over 'special activity funds used for clothing,' the Blue House stated, "Clothing for international events such as overseas visits was either donated or returned. The Chanel jacket was used during the state visit to France and was immediately returned afterward. Later, Chanel donated the jacket to the National Hangeul Museum, where it is currently on display."
However, a new controversy arose claiming that the jacket displayed at Incheon International Airport is different from the one Kim wore in 2018.
In response, Chanel stated that a separate jacket was produced and donated. Chanel explained, "Last September, the jacket was lent for a Hangeul exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, and Chanel planned to donate the jacket to the National Hangeul Museum."
Regarding the controversy, Tak Hyun-min, the Blue House Protocol Secretary, posted on his SNS that "Why is it an issue that Chanel donated a different jacket? That is the donor's choice," adding, "Chanel confirmed both the lending and the return of the clothing, and it has been confirmed that the donation and the donated jacket are currently on display."
He continued, "We understood Chanel's statement that they would donate the 'same jacket' as referring to the jacket that was worn, but Chanel said they produced and donated a jacket made from the same fabric and design, not the exact one Kim wore."
He said, "Whether they donate the same jacket after dry cleaning it, change the design of the same jacket, or donate a different jacket with the same design, they said they would donate it and we accepted the donation. What is the problem with that?"
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