Top Korean Stars Who Are Representing International High Fashion Brands

Gone are the days when only Hollywood A-listers and supermodels were the only ones appointed as brand ambassadors of top high fashion houses.

With the power of the ‘Hallyu’ wave or the South Korean culture, more Korean celebrities are gaining presence in the global fashion arena with their always ‘dress-to-impress’ style (read: airport fashion). They’re chic and sleek, very fashion-forward and experimental with their OOTDs. And with their massive fan base around the world, it’s no wonder why renowned fashion houses have been eyeing them to represent their labels in order to reach a larger audience, not to mention a wider-age range instantly.

As the Hallyu wave continues to flourish, we’re likely to spot more of the highly-influential and immaculately-styled stars on the front row during fashion week in the years to come. We’ve listed down some of South Korea’s most recognized pop stars, famous celebrities, and the luxury fashion brands they are fronting for.

Bae Doona for Louis Vuitton

Not every one can be a designer’s muse, but Korean actress Bae Doona is one of the lucky ones to be Nicolas Ghesquiere’s muse for Louis Vuitton. Since 2016, the Sense8 actress has been the brand ambassador and a front-row fixture in all of the fashion house’s runway shows. She even walked at the 2018 Cruise collection presentation in Japan.

Kai (Kim Jong-in) for Gucci Eyewear

Gucci does not always go with male ambassadors to represent the brand, but when the fashion house did so,  Kai of boy group EXO was the chosen one. The singer has been attending Gucci shows since 2018 before being officially appointed as brand ambassador in 2019 for the Italian house’s eyewear campaign.

Rosé (Roseanne Park) for Saint Laurent

Blackpink’s lead vocalist Rosé attended her first Saint Laurent show last February 2019. Since then, she has been a front-row regular during Fashion Week events of the brand. She’s been doing campaign shoots for the French luxury line, so it was no surprise when the fashion powerhouse’s creative director, Anthony Vacarello, recently announced Rosé as the new face of Saint Laurent.

Yoo Ah In (Uhm Hong-sik) for Burberry

The actor, creative director and art gallery owner is the first ever Korean introduced as the brand ambassador of Burberry through a festive campaign video in November 2019. He boasts a unique style that is quirky yet polished, enough reason for luxury brands wanting to tap him. And just so you know, he’s been spotted at every Burberry event since 2014.

Song Hye-Kyo for Bottega Veneta

All black isn’t boring in the least for Descendants of the Sun actress when she attended Bottega Veneta’s FW2020 show in Milan last February. She was clad in sleek, chic, and head-to-toe black, toting the new Chain Pouch which is a chunky gold-linked version of Bottega’s signature clamshell clutch. She later on starred in the brand’s short fashion film, La Donna Che Amiano (The Women We Love) last SS2020.

Nam Joo-Hyuk for Dior

The actor has been chosen as the face of Dior Men not only in Korea, but all around Asia. The actor effortlessly carries off both a classic style and a more fashion-forward look. His height is coupled with his impressive modeling credentials, making him the natural choice for the brand since 2019. He starred in the 2016 rom-com hit, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, opposite Lee Sung-kyung.

Jun Ji Hyun (Gianna Jun) for Alexander McQueen

Everyone’s favorite ‘sassy girl’ is the very first Korean to represent the British luxury house. Her charisma and versatility as an actress, synergizes well with the brand’s identity as she will be appearing in the brand’s FW2020 campaign. She rose to fame for her role as The Girl in the 2001 romcom hit, My Sassy Girl.

Park Seo Joon for Montblanc

The Itaewon Class actor was chosen as the brand ambassador of Montblanc in 2018. He is labeled as a ‘Friend of Montblanc’, and has been seen wearing the timepieces, not just for his acting stints in dramas, but also during his shoots and personal travels. His popularity soared in 2017 for hit drama series Fight For My Way followed by the movie Midnight Runners.

Watch this space for more news and updates on the biggest Korean stars you’re most likely to spot on the front row during fashion month.