June 04, 2023
News

Minions, knockoff Chanel, virtual mirror: North Korea holds women’s fashion expo

Clothing choices have grown along with foreign media influence, but event shows options still dictated from above

A fashion expo in Pyongyang targeting North Korean women in their 30s and 40s came to a close on Wednesday, after top domestic companies showed off colorful clothing, cosmetics and even knockoff Chanel and Minions accessories over the course of two weeks.

The Women's Clothes Exhibition-2022, featuring brands and trading companies running separate store spaces with ads and mannequins, took place from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9 and purported to showcase North Korean women’s ability to show off their individual style.