"How Dare They, It's a Step Down": Chanel-Loving Elites Rush for 2,000-Won Chinese Clothes [World Photo]

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"It's degrading"... "An insult to the fashion industry"

Chinese e-commerce fast fashion company Shein.

In the heart of the fashion capital Paris, France, in the Marais district, Shein opened its first permanent offline store in the iconic Beauchamp Department Store.

On that day, crowds gathered in front of the department store from early morning, eagerly waiting for the opening.

In contrast, online petitions opposing the opening of the Shein store have been posted, and protests continue.

Shin Official Instagram

What is the problem with Shein?

Shein uses big data to select popular designs and produces new products at ultra-fast speeds, taking only four to five days. During this process, some factories have been accused of exploiting child labor and employing unethical production methods, such as requiring 75-hour work weeks. The company also sparked controversy by selling adult dolls in the likeness of children online, and has been sued multiple times for copying or misusing famous brand logos and designs. Additionally, there are growing concerns about the environmental pollution caused by such a massive fast fashion company.

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"How dare they" was the sentiment... but

Proud Parisians couldn't resist the opening rush

Ultra-low-priced Chinese fashion 'Shein' storms Paris

Customers visiting the Paris Shine store. /Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Reuters Yonhap News

Citizens lining up outside BHV Department Store on the first day of Shein's offline store opening, and the bustling interior of the Shein store after opening. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The department store reported that approximately 50,000 people visited Shein’s first permanent offline store, which opened on November 5 at a department store in Paris, France. On November 9 (local time), Frederic Merlin, chairman of Societe des Grands Magasins (SGM), the parent company of BHV Department Store where Shein is located, posted on his social media, "In just a few days, more than 50,000 visitors came to the Shein store."

Chairman Merlin explained that the average amount spent by customers at Shein was about 45 euros (approximately 75,000 won), and that about 15% of visitors also shopped at other stores within the department store.

"The visitors were vibrant, diverse, and from the general public."
"Attacking Shein is the same as attacking these very faces."

Clothes displayed at Shein's first offline space in BHV Marais Department Store, Paris, France, on November 5, 2025. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

"While other department stores turned to luxury and tourists, BHV remained the department store for Parisians-a space for everyday, real, and authentic life."
- Frederic Merlin, Chairman

On November 5, 2025, at the BHV department store in Paris, France, Karl Stephane Cottendin, CEO of SGM, is preparing for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of Shein's first offline store. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

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"Low quality, Shein should be ashamed" vs. "A big welcome, this is the trend of the times"

Opening rush and expulsion protests happening simultaneously

A banner with the words "Shein no thanks" is hanging on a window of Paris City Hall. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Amid protests opposing the Shein opening, supporters of the association MoveEnfance are holding placards reading "BHV's Shame." Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Amid protests against the Shein opening, supporters of the association MoveEnfants are holding placards reading "BHV's Shame." Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

A counter-protester is being dragged out of a Shein store (right). Photo by AP Yonhap News

Even before opening, Shein’s entry into BHV Department Store faced strong opposition, including supplier withdrawals, union protests, and citizen petitions. The backlash extended beyond the French fashion industry to local governments and civic groups, making it a political and social issue.

"We oppose Shein establishing itself in the heart of Paris."
"Their website is appalling, and we must protect France’s textile industry and Europe’s technological capabilities."
- Marine Cajard, Leader of the Young Future Party

On the opening day, huge crowds gathered in front of the department store. While some citizens excitedly awaited the opening, various human rights, environmental, and civic groups, along with local politicians, staged protests. Shein was criticized for threatening the French fashion and retail industries with ultra-cheap products produced through labor exploitation, and was even accused of encouraging child sexual exploitation crimes. When some protesters entered the store, security personnel escorted them out.

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'Adult dolls' sold by Shein... Parcels thoroughly inspected

On November 6, at the logistics warehouse of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy, France, customs officers wearing white gloves are opening piled-up parcels originating from 'Shein', while government officials including Serge Papin, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, and Amelie de Montchalin, Minister of Public Accounts, along with the press, watch them closely. A customs official said it would take at least a month to open 200,000 parcels and identify illegal items. /ABACAPRESS

bbcnewsuk Instagram, AFP Yonhap News

Recently, Shein was found to have sold adult dolls resembling young girls holding teddy bears on its online shopping site in France. On November 1, the French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control filed a complaint against Shein for the distribution and sale of child pornography, and on November 5, the government announced that "Shein has repeatedly and systematically violated French law," requesting the court to block access to the site. The Ministry of Finance also announced, "Following the Prime Minister’s directive, we are beginning procedures to suspend Shein’s services."

On November 6, Amelie de Montchalin, Minister of Public Accounts, who oversees French customs, visited Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the country’s main gateway, and stated, "We have decided to open and inspect all 200,000 Shein parcels that arrived in France in the past 24 hours." It is extremely rare for customs officials to open every parcel entering the country via personal overseas direct purchases.

"Even in the initial inspection, we found unapproved cosmetics under French law, toys dangerous to children, counterfeit goods, and low-quality electronic products."

French authorities plan to decide whether to suspend Shein’s operations based on the results of this comprehensive inspection.

Shein, which challenged France's 'pride' by forcibly opening the world's first offline store in the heart of Paris, the center of fashion.

An online petition opposing Shein's opening has surpassed 130,000 signatures as of November 11.

However, despite this situation, tens of thousands have visited since the opening.

They argue that European SPA brands like Zara and H&M also manufacture in factories in China, and welcome the cost-effective shopping offered by Shein.

The department store plans to open five more stores in France in the future.