Noko Jeans

Noko Jeans (Chosongul: 노코진스) was a fashion company. Active 2007–2011, founded by Jacob Åström, Tor Rauden Källstigen and Jakob Ohlsson. It is the first foreign company to import jeans from North Korea.[1]

Noko Jeans Logotype.

Criticism

In December 2007, Noko's founders gave a North Korean delegation two sample pairs of jeans for inspection at a textile factory in Pyongyang.[2] When Noko Jeans launched the sales of their first collection in December 2009, criticism was aimed at the brand because of the sourcing of jeans from the North Korean regime. The founders of Noko Jeans defended themselves, saying that they had been present at the factory during production and documented it to guarantee that no child labor had been used, and that workers had working conditions that were in compliance with international standards. The controversy prompted the Swedish retail store PUB to withdraw the jeans from their shelves; the PUB spokesperson stated that they did not want anything to do with politics.

Design

The two unisex models were designed in collaboration with fashion designer Julia Hederus.[3] Both models are designed based on the Noko Jeans story.

Kara Slim Fit is a tighter model with a regular waist.

Oke Loose Fit is more baggy, with a drop-crotch. Oke Loose Fit has a regular waist.

Production

The production were made by a mining company in Pyongyang during the summer of 2009[4]

In total 1100 pieces were made. Each pair of jeans costed 1,500 kronor (£131), coming in two styles- the slim-fit Kara and loose-fit Oke, both of which were made in black denim.[5]

Museum

The pants were sold through Noko Jeans' online store, as well as the Noko Jeans Museum[6] in Stockholm. The Noko Jeans Museum was opened in Stockholm, Sweden, December 5, 2009, when the PUB department store refused to continue selling the Oke and Kara jeans, worried that they would become involved in the current public debate regarding the ethics of selling clothes produced in the country of North Korea.[7]

About two weeks later, on December 18, 2009, Noko Jeans opened their own department museum on Södermalm, Stockholm. It was only available for a limited time and the doors finally closed on February 6, 2010.[8]

References
  1. NBC News
  2. Schulz, Sandra (2010-01-08). "Dictatorship Denim: The Real Story Behind North Korean Jeans - DER SPIEGEL - International". www.spiegel.de. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  3. "Refinery29". Refinery29. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  4. "North Korea Launches "Noko" Designer Jeans". Business Insider. Retrieved 2010-08-08..
  5. Pidd, Helen (2009-12-04). "Denim diplomacy: North Korea exports jeans to Sweden". the Guardian. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  6. "Noko Jeans Museum". Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  7. "BBC World News". BBC. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  8. "Noko Jeans Museum". Noko Jeans. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
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