How did EXO’s Kai become the biggest K-pop fashion idol of 2021?
No other K-pop idol has left a even larger influence on the manner earth than EXO Kai.
2021 is the year that the vogue environment certainly embraced K-Pop stars. BTS was named ambassadors of Louis Vuitton, Blackpink’s Lisa walked for a Celine trend clearly show, and her fellow members fronted strategies for luxurious models like Chanel and Tiffany & Co. But no person has left a even bigger impact than Kai, the sensational “dancing machine” of EXO.
This 12 months, Kai was the only South Korean idol in Lyst’s spherical-up of superstars whose vogue alternatives have resulted in the greatest spikes in searches and revenue. According to the manner purchasing platform, he ranked at fifth place, producing him extra influential than stars like Harry Designs, Woman Gaga, Rihanna, and each the Biebers.
To K-Pop supporters, the information may perhaps not totally appear as a surprise. Since debuting as portion of the boyband EXO, Kai has set himself apart with his charismatic phase presence, dancing expertise, and perception of style. He was observed for his impeccably polished airport trend, which included blazers, turtleneck sweaters and nicely-slash trousers that suited his svelte figure. It was not long prior to he caught the awareness of Gucci, who named him as manufacturer ambassador in 2019.
[Header photo credit: SM Entertainment]
Now that Kai has just produced a comeback with his next solo album, Peaches, it may perhaps be effortless to forget his model qualifications in favour of his musical and functionality kinds. That is why we’ve highlighted some key times in his job that solidified his rightful standing as a trend icon.
5 times Kai proved that he was the K-Pop king of style:
His first marketing campaign for Gucci
Kai designed his debut as Gucci ambassador in the Italian style label’s Drop/Winter 2019 eyewear marketing campaign, starring along with Chinese actress Ni Ni. The images, shot by American filmmaker and photographer Harmony Korine, supplied us our to start with glimpse of Kai as the deal with of an intercontinental luxury brand. He very easily embodied Gucci’s distinct, classic-motivated aesthetic as he sported the brand’s retro glasses and tailoring. He would all over again be tapped by designer Alessandro Michele to front Gucci’s S/S 2020 eyewear campaign, this time displaying off his modelling capabilities in a trend film.
His collaboration with Gucci
After sitting entrance row at runway exhibits and modelling for trend campaigns, Kai took matters to another stage in 2021. He teamed up with Gucci for a confined-version capsule assortment, earning him the 1st Korean superstar to at any time do so. (In reality, couple other Gucci ambassadors have at any time been provided the honour.) The Kai x Gucci selection, as it was called, revolved about his fondness for teddy bears the childhood toy motif was stamped throughout monogrammed purses, leather products, sneakers and clothes for each gentlemen and women of all ages. When the collection introduced, it offered out virtually immediately. According to Lyst, it also led to an boost in queries for Gucci by 264 for each cent — evidence of Kai’s world wide impact on fashion developments.
Seoul Style 7 days
In September 2021, Kai was preferred as the ambassador of Seoul Fashion 7 days. It’s no little feat to be picked amid quite a few celebrities to depict South Korea’s largest vogue party, significantly significantly less for its 21st anniversary. In a video advertising and marketing the celebration, Kai remarked on his very own romantic relationship with manner: “I use garments to express myself. I employed to only feel about how to sing or how to dance, but now that I have been a singer for ten many years, I arrived to think about how to convey myself as an artist.”
His Gucci Aria marketing campaign
Gucci once more picked Kai to star in its marketing campaign — not just for eyewear, but for its Aria Fall/Winter season 2021 selection, which marked the Italian fashion brand’s 100th anniversary. For it, Kai was photographed among a dreamy wintertime landscape sporting noteworthy variations, such as Gwyneth Paltrow’s legendary pink velvet match. He also did more than product for the accompanying style film, which highlighted him accomplishing what he does most effective: dancing.
His solo tunes promotions
Given that earning his solo debut in 2020, Kai has explored this romantic relationship with style even a lot more. The singer performs an energetic position in styling his tunes video clips and album ideas, doing the job alongside his workforce. “I go about picking clothes myself,” he claimed. “Concept is the most essential thing. We have to believe about irrespective of whether we want to engage in it harmless or choose up a challenge.” Obviously, he’s absent for latter. When advertising Mmmh, Kai’s outfits leaned to androgynous, and incorporated ordinarily female pieces like lace blouses and corsets. He has continued to drive design and style boundaries in his Peaches era, for which he has boldly worn skirts by buzzy trend manufacturers like Peter Do. With a daring and unconventional solution to model, it’s no wonder he’s 1 of K-Pop most important fashion influencers.
This short article 1st appeared on Life style Asia Singapore.