If you’ve been following Korean fashion, then no doubt you’ve come across the name “Blue Elephant”. But, because Blue Elephant is a newer brand, you might not know exactly what it is.
Then, it’s a good thing we’ve got you covered.
What is Blue Elephant?
First thing’s first, Blue Elephant is a contemporary Korean eyewear brand that has been trending all over social media this summer. They draw a lot of their inspiration from 1970’s American classic and vintage designs. But the thing is, Blue Elephant isn’t famous all on their own. They have Gentle Monster to thank for that.
Gentle Monster…?
Gentle Monster (젠틀몬스터) is a popular Korean eyewear brand that is famously known for its unique concepts and gallery-like spaces. Pretty much everything under the Gentle Monster umbrella is half gallery and half store, making a visit to any of their locations more of an experience rather than a simple shopping trip.
Aside from their detailed and often avant-garde style stores, Gentle Monster is known as a higher-end brand. Shoppers are looking at 200,000 KRW and up for a pair of sunglasses with more expensive pairs hitting closer to 350,000 KRW.
But, rumor is that the significantly cheaper Blue Elephant has something very important in common with Gentle Monster: the same manufacturer.
The Gentle Blue Elephant Monster?
When news broke that Blue Elephant and Gentle Monster used the same manufacturer, the brand pretty much blew up over night and now they have flagship stores all over Seoul. Their stores are very stylized with a clean urban minimalist look. The glasses are very much center stage here, with one of every pair of on display to try on and plenty of mirrors to see yourself in.
My husband Michael and I have been to two of their locations, but the Myeongdong Flagship store is definitely worth a visit if you’re in Seoul. We found quite a few pairs that suited our tastes. He really liked their selection of optical glasses and I really liked their sunglasses. The designs are really classic and understated for more of versatile use. You can easily take any pair off the shelf and style it with dozens of outfits, which is exactly what I look for in a pair of sunglasses.
Gentle Monster is Better, but Blue Elephant is Worth the Money
The museum-like vibes at Gentle Monster stores definitely make each pair of glasses feel like a work of art. Their designs are bold, comfortable and definitely make a statement. They are also a bit on the higher end price-wise and since all their designs are made in smaller quantities for limited runs, you are not likely to ever find them at discounted prices.
The quality of Blue Elephant isn’t on par with Gentle Monster’s, but they are a much more budget friendly alternative. So naturally I had to give them a try and I did end up purchasing a pair I’ve had my eye on all summer, the ROAN grey crystal sunglasses. All their eyewear is priced under 50,000 KRW and come nicely packaged in their own individual magnetically closed boxes with a soft white pouch to carry your glasses in.
It’s definitely the best bang for your buck if you’re looking for a nice pair of Korean glasses that won’t break the bank. So if this is your aesthetic, be sure to check it out.
Where can I find a Blue Elephant store?
There are actually a lot of Blue Elephant stores in Seoul now. They’ve got a store at most of the trendy neighborhoods in Seoul, so it’s not difficult at all to find a location. Just in case, we’ve got a few of the popular ones listed below.
- Hannam Showroom
- 서울 용산구 이태원로54길 48 3층 (Naver Map)
- Seoul, Yongsan District, Hannam-dong, 683-47 3F (Google Maps)
- Seongsu Flagship Store
- 서울 성동구 연무장길 13 2, 3층 (Naver Map)
- Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang-gil, 13 2F, 3F (Google Maps)
- Myeongdong Showroom
- 서울 중구 명동8길 8-7 1층~4층 (Naver Map)
- 54-3 Myeong-dong 2(i)-ga, Jung District, Seoul (Google Maps)
- Hongdae Flagship Store
- 서울 마포구 잔다리로2길 22 지하1층~지상4층 (Naver Map)
- 22 Jandari-ro 2gil, Mapo District, Seoul (Google Maps)
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Don’t be misled by this post!
I’m writing this as someone who’s been affected by this misinformation. Having purchased products from both brands, I can’t believe they’re made in the same factory. Blue Elephant products are low-quality items made from cheap plastic, while GM products are crafted from high-quality acetate and finished by hand. They’re not part of the same company either—Blue Elephant is simply a knock-off brand that copies GM’s designs and slaps on its own label.
Sorry, but there is no “misinformation” here. Blue Elephant is RUMORED to use the same manufacturer, but not that they use the same materials or are the same quality. Nowhere did I say they are from the same company (because they aren’t). Personally, I think Blue Elephant is good for the price, especially if you can’t afford a pair of GentleMonster. But no, they are not on the same level. It’s extremely unrealistic to expect GM quality at a Blue Elephant price point.