Blackpink's Jisoo Stars In The Latest Panthère De Cartier Campaign
Luxury houses are tapping into the star power and influence of Korean celebs.
Gone were the days where only Hollywood celebrities and supermodels were appointed as brand ambassadors of global fashion houses. With the rise of Korean inclusivity and the power of the Korean wave, more Korean celebrities have taken up those appointments as ambassadors, either for Korea or the global market.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up a list of Korean celebrities who have fronted luxury fashion brands.
Having worked closely with its creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri and attending the label’s fashion shows frequently since March 2021, Blackpink's Jisoo is truly the embodiment of Dior—graceful, elegant and classy. In addition to her role as Dior's global ambassador, K-pop star is also the newest member of Cartier's Panthére community and stars in the maison's latest Panthère De Cartier campaign.
“I’m so glad to be a part of Cartier’s grand journey. It’s truly an honour and pleasure for me to join the Panthère tribe, where everyone proves their strength of character. I can’t wait to share Panthère’s great beauty with everyone,” says Jisoo.
Fresh off winning his first Premier League Golden Boot, Son Heung-min—the South Korea national captain and Premier League top scorer—has been named brand ambassador for Calvin Klein Underwear. The international football phenomenon, who earlier joined TUMI and Burberry as brand ambassador, will star in an exclusive campaign featuring the Fall 2022 collection.
“As a longtime fan of the brand, I’m thrilled to be representing Calvin Klein Underwear in my home country. Calvin Klein products have had a special place in my wardrobe for years, so our partnership is a natural fit. Like so many people around the world, I am constantly inspired by the brand’s iconic campaigns, so to be the face of one is both exciting and surreal,” said Son is a statement.
If you’ve been binge-watching All Of Us Are Dead on Netflix, then you would know this familiar face. Yoon Chan-young, who played Lee Cheong-San in the show, has just been appointed as Coach’s first brand ambassador for Korea. In partnership with the House, Chan-young is said to be fronting the campaigns for Coach’s leather goods, ready-to-wear and footwear beginning with the Spring 2022 season. Embodying Coach’s values of championing optimism and the courage to be one’s authentic self, we can’t help but think that the position is well befitting for the breakout star.
Excited to be a part of the House’s story, that young star also states that he is “thrilled to be an ambassador for Coach,” and he also mentioned that the brand fits his personal style and inspires him.
You may have known him back in 2009 for his lead role in the ever-so-popular K-drama, Boys Over Flowers, or even The Heirs which aired back in 2013. But that’s more than meets the eye with this superstar. And while he did rise to stardom back in the day, Lee Min-Ho shows no signs of slowing down. This time ’round, the South korean superstar was recently appointed to be the new ambassador luxury fashion house, Fendi.
The news about his new appointment first surfaced when his agency, MYM Entertainment, made an announcement on its Instagram page, posting photos of the actor in Fendi.
The caption read, “The first meeting of Lee Min-ho and Fendi, the global fashion house, is now officially confirmed.”
The actor also shared in an official statement with Fendi, “I’m very honoured to be a part of the Fendi family as an ambassador, a Maison that to me is rich in heritage as well as creativity.”
Lee Min-Ho joins fellow South Korean K-drama actress, Song Hye Kyo, who was appointed to be Fendi’s brand ambassador in February 2021.
Kim Woo-bin, best known for his roles in K-dramas like Heirs (2013) and School (2012), was appointed as the brand ambassador for Jaeger-LeCoultre in June 2021. The South Korean actor and model made a comeback at The Sound Marker exhibition in Seoul after his recovery from nasopharyngeal cancer.
In response to his ambassadorship, the superstar says, “I am very delighted to be a Friend of Jaeger-LeCoultre, with a long history of 188 years and great watchmaking expertise. I look forward to the new journey with Jaeger-LeCoultre.”
Instead of tracksuits, we will be seeing Squid Game’s player 456 in more snazzy suits now.
On Nov 11, Lee Jung-jae’s agency announced that he was appointed Italian luxury house Gucci’s global ambassador. Lee shared a few snaps of himself in sharp suits on his Instagram account (@from_jjlee).
He was also seen in photos with Gucci’s chief executive Marco Bizzarri, Netflix’s head honcho Ted Sarandos and Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.
On 11 Nov 2021, Gucci also announced model-actress Shin Min-A as its newly appointed global ambassador. Shin Min-A was most recently seen in Netflix’s Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
She joins other Gucci ambassadors such as Lee Jung-jae, K-pop boy band Exo’s Kai, South Korean singer-actress IU, and Chinese stars Lu Han and Xiao Zhan.
The Korean actress, known for her roles in Korean dramas such as Descendants of the Sun and Autumn in my Heart, was chosen as the brand ambassador for Chaumet not only in Korea, but Asia Pacific, in December 2018. And we reckon her elegance makes her a perfect fit for the brand!
In February 2021, Song Hye-kyo was also appointed as the brand ambassador for Fendi in Korea, presumably thanks to her timeless appeal. She’s soft, strong and elegant all at once. More recently, she was featured in the #FendiPeekaboo video – in celebration of the Maison’s iconic Peekaboo bag designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi.
Since grabbing the spotlight as one of the stars of Squid Game, model-turned-actress Jung HoYeon has reportedly become South Korea’s second most followed actress on Instagram – surpassing household names such as Song Hye-kyo even. So it comes as no surprise that the 27-year-old has been named as the ambassador for Louis Vuitton, a label she has walked for numerous times since Spring-Summer 2017. Nicolas Ghesquiere, Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of womenswear said: “I immediately fell in love with HoYeon’s great talent and fantastic personality, and I am looking forward to starting this new chapter of the journey we started at Louis Vuitton a few years ago.”
There is no stopping Park Soo-young or Joy, as she is more commonly known. A member of the K-pop girl band, she just landed the coveted role of TOD’s ambassador in South Korea, accompanying the brand in many of its activities in the country.
TOD’s creative director Walter Chiapponi says in an official release: “I am pleased to begin this new journey with a young talent with so much energy and I’m sure Joy will add her personal touch to our future projects!”
The ex Wonder Girls and 4Minute member who has carved a solo career as a singer-songwriter/rapper for more than a decade can now add global LOEWE ambassador to her CV too. The experimental style star who released her seventh chart-topping EP I’m Not Cool in January embodies what the Spanish house calls a “vibrant sense of style”.
HyunA’s announcement comes on the heels of LOEWE’s take over of direct control of the brand in South Korea from a former local distributor.
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The Thai-born K-pop singer/rapper is not only the brand ambassador for Bvlgari, but also the Global Ambassador for CELINE. Speaking of which, just take a minute or two to admire the Celine bags Lisa has been spotted with.
The member of K-pop group Red Velvet is an influential star in her own right, boasting close to 10 million followers on Instagram. It is not surprising then that Italian house Salvatore Ferragamo has tapped the 27-year-old to be the global ambassador for the company, turning to her to front campaigns such as the one for its Let’s Dance shoe capsule collection.
Related article:We're Obsessed With These Stylish Outfits From Joy of Red Velvet
In May 2021, Blackpink's Jennie starred in the Heron Preston for Calvin Klein campaign. Prior to this appointment, she also collaborated with other brands such as Chanel and Korean beauty brand Hera.
A version of this story first appeared in Her World
Otherwise known as one of the most renowned and influential groups in the world, BTS is making their mark in the world of fashion with their latest appointment as House ambassadors for Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Artistic Director, Virgil Abloh said: “I am delighted BTS are joining Louis Vuitton today. I am looking forward to this wonderful partnership which adds a modern chapter to the House, merging luxury and contemporary culture. I can’t wait to share all the very exciting projects we are working on”.
Louis Vuitton also shared on Instagram several images of BTS wearing clothes from the brand. The band also wore Louis Vuitton outfits to the Grammy Awards earlier this year, where their hit single 'Dynamite' was up for a nomination.
The singer‘s appointment as the ambassador for Saint Laurent was announced in June 2020. The announcement comes after a series of images and videos posted on Saint Laurent’s Instagram page.
However, more recently, after her stunning solo debut, Rosé was also appointed as Tiffany and Co.‘s latest global ambassador, fronting the 2021 Tiffany Hardwear collection.
The Korean actress, known for her roles in Korean dramas such as Descendants of the Sun and Autumn in my Heart, was chosen as the brand ambassador for Chaumet not only in Korea, but Asia Pacific, in December 2018. And we reckon her elegance makes her a perfect fit for the brand!
More recently (in February 2021), Song was also appointed as the brand ambassador for Fendi in Korea, presumably because of her timeless appeal — soft, strong and elegant all at once.