First lady makes a fashion, enviromental statement with handbag

A beige purse that first lady Kim Keon-hee carried when she accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit to the UAE is drawing attention.

First lady Kim Keon-hee carries a Harlie K purse when boarding the Air Force One departing for UAE on Jan. 14 at Seoul Air Base for a state visit. [YONHAP, HARLIE K]

A beige handbag that first lady Kim Keon-hee carried when she accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is drawing attention.

Kim carried a purse made by Harlie K, a Korean upcycle fashion brand, at Seoul Air Base before departing for UAE on Saturday according to the fashion industry on Monday.

The first lady had changed her outfit during the flight but still carried the handbag even when the Air Force One arrived at Abu Dhabi.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon-hee leaving the Air Force One after arriving at Abu Dhabi on Jan. 14. Kim is still carrying the Harlie K purse while her outfit has changed. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Kim's handbag, the "beanie bag", is Harlie K's upcycle eco-friendly bag made with recycled coffee bags and vegan leather based on hanji (Korean traditional paper).

The beanie bag is 199,000 won ($160) on Harlie K's website. It comes in six colors. The black bag that Kim carried is currently sold out.

Kim had also carried the Harlie K hangbag when she met with Wijsen sisters, environmental activists, on her trip to Bali, Indonesia on Nov. 14, 2022.

Kim Keon-hee visiting the upcycling brand Ecoalf's store in Madrid, Spin on June 29, 2022 [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Kim has been seen carrying purses made by domestic brands on previous public appearances.

Kim was carrying Amorepacific's "Archive Wappen Eco Bag" when she visited the upclying brand Ecoalf's store by herself when she accompanied Yoon to Spain in June 2022. The bag is being sold at the Amorepafic Museum of Art since 2018.

She was also seen carrying a 208,000-won "Bridgerton tote bag" made by Billiontem, a small domestic brand, when she went to the theaters with Yoon earlier that month.

The First Couple visiting a theater in Seoul on June 12, 2022 [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

BY LEE BO-RAM [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]