Hello it's Noko Jeans!

The story:

Outside the factory after first meeting in Korea.

Nr. 1 of 5 photos. Official group photo.

Nr. 2 of 5 photos. The very first e-mail!

Nr. 3 of 5 photos. Sun setting in Pyongyang.

Nr. 4 of 5 photos. Outside the factory after first meeting in Korea.

Nr. 5 of 5 photos. Making jeans.

This is the story of how 3 guys from Sweden made 1100 jeans in North Korea.

After two-and-a-half years, here they are. The 1100 first, to our knowledge, jeans made in North Korea. Our journey has been a long one, but immensly rewarding. Not only the process of making them, befriending some of the people in North Korea and to get to examine one of the most mythical places in the world with our own eyes, but also the questions and discussions this project poses – and generates.

Our first chapter, as this is much more of a story than anything else, is called Maneuvers In The Dark. Inspired by both the visual as well as the emotional impact of the night of Pyongyang, for us personally, and for the people we know in the country. Two models, Kara slim fit and Oke loose fit, has been produced. Names very much inspired by our favorite sign in our favorite hotel – Koryo Hotel. We sincerely hope you like them and the story they tell.

Under what conditions does one make jeans in North Korea?

Working with a North Korean company – working with North Korea – raises many questions. This is a good thing; it should. One of the most common questions we receive is the moral aspect of working with a such a country; can you justify it, or is it exploitation? We’ve worked, on our spare time, with Noko Jeans for 2,5 years to produce the 1100 jeans and not a single day has gone by that we haven’t asked ourselves the same question. And there is no easy answer.

We decided to move forward with this project based on one belief and one demand. The belief being that any outside contact, and influences, such an isolated nation gets, can only be of good. And the demand being to be physically present during the production of our 1100 jeans. That way, we can both influence and control atleast this “micro context” this project is. And also make sure that our production is being made under humane conditions. We think it’s better to do something, even as small as this, than nothing at all.