Some designers are pushing the boundaries in the rigid state.
Credit: The Independent
North Korea has one of the most tightly-controlled regimes in the world and a widely condemned human rights record.
On the basis of the above, it may come as a surprise to learn the isolated state also holds an annual fashion show, which one foreign photographer decided to attend.
Singapore-based Aram Pan has been granted unprecedented access to the notoriously secretive state four times since August 2013.
For his project DPRK 360, Mr Pan, 38, has filmed 360-degree panoramic views of North Korea, taken images of flights on the North Korean civil carrier, eaten traditional street-food cuisine, interacted with locals and recently attended a fashion show in the capital.
Credit: The Independent
His project aims to “demystify” North Korea by creating a small window into the world of one of the few countries still existing under communist rule.
Mr Pan's last trip involved attending the 12th Pyongyang Fashion Exhibition held in September, where models could be seen walking down catwalks and showcasing the latest trends.
Mr Pan said he was surprised at the boundary-pushing Western-style clothing appearing alongside traditional North Korean dress.
Credit: The Independent
He told The Independent: “Men’s fashion seems to remain much the same, sticking mostly to monochromatic attire.
“However, women’s fashion seems to be evolving - and it isn’t isolated just to Pyongyang.
"Based on the reports I’ve read over the years about laws banning women from wearing trousers or restrictions on bright colors, this fashion show came as an absolute surprise. But even on the streets, I've noticed that women were getting bolder and more fancy in the way they dress."
Source: The Independent
The exhibition is attended by local shop keepers who use numbers pinned on clothes to order with. “There were easily over 1,000 people in the hall that day - it was packed," said Mr Pan.
Read more at The Independent.