FILE PHOTO: South Korean cosmetics being sold in secret in North Korea. (Daily NK)
Chanel cosmetics and perfumes are becoming the latest status symbol among North Korea’s elite, as wealthy people in cities like Hoeryong and Chongjin increasingly favor the French luxury brand over traditional South Korean products like Sulwhasoo.
“Chanel cosmetics and perfume are very popular with wealthy donju in major cities in North Hamgyong province, such as Hoeryong and Chongjin, particularly lipstick and cushion foundation,” a Daily NK source in North Hamgyong province said recently, referring to North Korea’s wealthy entrepreneurial class.
People like lipstick and cushion foundation as they keep wearers looking good without being garish and can be applied throughout the day, while perfume has a distinct, subtle odor that lasts a while after spraying it on at home, the source said.
According to the source, customs officials crack down hard on products with Korean-language labels, but products labeled in foreign languages pass customs relatively smoothly. As a result, foreign brands have begun flowing into the country in greater numbers, with North Koreans holding them in increasingly high regard.
Smuggling and status: How Chanel reaches N. Korea’s wealthy
In the border city of Hoeryong, official trade with China through customs has been vibrant, with ethnic Chinese residents of North Korea — or hwagyo — bringing in an increasing number of products as they move back and forth between North Korea and China.
At first, hwagyo brought in small amounts of Chanel cosmetics and perfume to give as gifts to friends and officials, but as demand for them grew, traders began importing them in earnest, with the volume distributed rising.
In particular, cosmetics from luxury brands like Chanel foster consumer sentiment among North Korea’s wealthy class.
“One can easily purchase Chinese or Russian products in the marketplace, but ordinary people cannot afford South Korean or French products,” the source said. “As donju tend to show off their wealth by using high-quality luxury products rather than commonplace ones, Chanel cosmetics and perfume are really taking off among them.”
Chanel cushion foundation costs about 1,000 Chinese yuan ($140) in North Korea, while perfume costs between 750 yuan and 1,250 yuan ($105-175), depending on the amount.
The distribution of Chanel cosmetics and perfume is also climbing in Hyesan, Ryanggang province.
“Luxury brands such as these are flowing into the country through state smuggling routes,” a source in Ryanggang province said. “Hyesan’s dongju want to use any products rumored to be good, regardless of the price, and they’re particularly curious about Chanel since people say it’s better than South Korean products.”
However, the Chanel cosmetics and perfume entering North Korea include fakes made in China.
“Chanel cosmetics and perfume are quite popular nowadays in North Korea, but North Koreans don’t really care if they’re fake as long as the price is right and they look real,” a source in China said.
“Because real items cost twice or three times as much as the fakes, even Chinese people who do business in North Korea recommend making fakes in Chinese factories that are a bit cheaper.”
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