K-Pop fans across the spectrum can acknowledge SHINee’s influence on trends in music, visuals, and, most importantly, fashion over the years! In 2022, KEY of SHINee released his second studio album, Gasoline, and jumped into some of the most eccentric outfits seen this year. KEY donned several body suits, corsets, and embellished headdresses for the album’s visuals. The studded golden suit we see in the music video thumbnail and the blue and white headpiece was designed by Seo Seungyeon of Dénicheur. Besides the outfits, KEY also wore campy makeup to compliment his looks. 2023 Met Gala, do yourself a favor and invite KEY to your event next year!
Jeno (NCT) – New York Fashion Week
For the 2022 New York Fashion Week, Jeno of NCT Dream teamed up with Asian-American fashion designer Peter Do. For his short trip to New York, Jeno posed in various chic black suits designed by Do. Jeno became the first K-Pop artist to open an NYFW show as he strutted down the runway in sky-high platform heels. For his main runway look, Jeno brought sexy back by donning a smoky-black backless tuxedo with wide-leg pants with slits. Jeno’s toned abs and his stunning debut at the show and after parties made this fashion moment one of the most buzzworthy moments of the year.
V (BTS) – Celine Show at Paris Fashion Week, Vogue Korea
Wherever he goes, V manages to be an absolute scene-stealer, and that’s been especially true throughout 2022. See his iconic look from the Celine show at Paris Fashion Week for some proof – the combination of his black sequin top with his red leather jacket offers such cool glam rock vibes, and the addition of a cascading necklace, later on, brought an already-stunning outfit to the next level. We also have to mention V’s gorgeous Vogue Korea photoshoot, which showcased his elegance with more tailored elements. Whether he’s going for a sophisticated or edgy feel, V never fails to blow us away with his styling.
VIVIZ – Rum Pum Pum Music Video
VIVIZ looked like the K-Pop royalty they are in the “Rum Pum Pum” music video, with each of the girls shining in a custom J June Dress gown and a headpiece from only_gluegun. Since the video’s November premiere, the metallic details, textured fabrics, and eye-catching silhouettes have been on our minds. Each girl got their own jewel tone – with Umji getting emerald, SinB getting sapphire, and Eunha getting ruby – to make their own statement in, and the results are absolutely beautiful. Long may these queens reign!
Everything about NAYEON’s solo debut with “POP!” and IM NAYEON was so fun and cheerful, and the outfits she wore during that era were no exception. Every look balanced classy and playful vibes so well, toying with different silhouettes and aesthetics to show off all the sides of NAYEON we love. Some of our favorites include the checkered Michael Kors co-ord set and the silky pink look she wore for the “POP!” music video – she really popped off with her fashion choices this year!
DPR IAN – Moodswings In To Order
Christian Yu, aka DPR IAN, is a visionary when it comes to the visual aspect of his music. In support of his 2022 album Moodswings In To Order, IAN released a documentary that featured some of the most fabulous styling we have seen in music this year. From the beautiful white and gold seraph suits finished off with lace gloves and an intriguing face mask to the red ruffle shirt featured toward the end of the movie, IAN and his team effectively used fashion to portray the messages behind the documentary. For the album promotion, including the world tour, IAN also heavily featured the ‘MIITO eye’ in his material, making it a titular figure this year!
To portray the various faces of herself, SOLAR of MAMAMOO dipped headfirst into monochromatic looks for her album 容 : FACE. The singer wore different solid color outfits for the promotion of the album, including the music video for her song “꿀 (HONEY).” 2000s-style mini-skirts to faux-fur hats, SOLAR tried something unique for each of her outfits. She switched between shimmering make-up, nail art, and hairstyles for each of her looks. However, for one of the looks, SOLAR hopped into a floor-length ruffle evening gown made out of newspaper clippings. Always making an empowering statement, the dress references all the ways the media portrays her and many other women, making it also part of their identity.
Mingyu (Seventeen) – Burberry, ELLE Korea, Cartier
Mingyu of SEVENTEEN has had an incredible year in the fashion scene. Going viral for his looks at red-carpet events, to magazine photoshoots and even concert outfits, Mingyu was one to look out for. Some of the highlights in the idol’s fashion journey this year included his appearance at the Burberry event in Busan, for which he worked summery beach shorts in the Burberry signature TB Summer Monogram. Mingyu teamed up with Louis Vuitton, wearing an oversized white coat with baggy pants and white construction boots for his ELLE Korea cover photoshoot. For more formal events, Mingyu also wore a selection of perfectly tailored suits like the ones at the CHANEL Pop Event in Seoul and the sizzling red suit at the Cartier event, where he made headlines with actor Song Kang and SEVENTEEN collaborator Anne-Marie.
Hwa Sa (MAMAMOO) – Valentino 2022/2023 Haute Couture Collection Show
Hwa Sa of MAMAMOO was pretty in pink for 2022! For fashion house Valentino’s 2022/23 Fall/Winter Haute Couture collection show in Rome, the group’s maknae glowed in her all-pink ensemble: a pink sequined minidress with roses, pink leggings, and pink chunky high heels, along with a pink Valentino bag as an accessory. This pink theme began even before the fashion show when she was seen at Incheon Airport wearing a white shirt, pink pants, and pink sneakers; the pink theme was also reprised at the Valentino Pink PP Collection launch in Seoul, where she was adorned in yet another Valentino pink sequined minidress, this time oversized and off-shoulder! Hwa Sa continues to leave her mark in the fashion industry.
Every year LISA impresses us with her fashion, and this year she blessed us with many iconic looks! The BLACKPINK rapper, who is a brand ambassador to luxury brands Celine and Bulgari, made the runway hers at Celine’s Fall/Winter 2022/23 show with two looks, donning a chic sequined minidress, and an all-black leather ensemble, paired with sunglasses, her signature bangs, and a blunt bob. At Celine’s Homme Summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week, she once again wowed everyone with an edgy all-black ensemble from the house’s FW 22/23 collection, paired with straight platinum blonde hair and a smokey eye that rounds out the rock ‘n’ roll vibe! Other highlights from her year include her lemon yellow tube top and matching dress at the Bulgari High Jewelry Gala, as well as the Vivienne Westwood bridal gown she donned at Bulgari Aurora Awards.
Felix & Hyunjin (Stray Kids) – YSL Party in Paris
Felix and Hyunjin of Stray Kids were trending on Twitter as soon as they stepped foot in YSL Beauty’s LIBRE LE PARFUM Party, and for a good reason. From their slicked-back hair to the sleek Saint Laurent outfits, everything about these looks screamed elegance and sophistication. We especially loved Hyunjin’s classy blazer and Felix’s monochrome checkered shirt, both of which offered some edge while staying polished and subdued. We hope to see them pop into more YSL events in the future because we need more Hyunlix content like this!
Bahiyyih (Kep1er) – 2022 MAMA Awards
While Kep1er is mainly known for their bursts of energy and youthfulness, their styling on MAMA Awards’ red carpet left many slack-jawed in awe, and none more so than Bahiyyih! She went viral on Twitter as the “pink hair girl” with her hair styled in a high bun and matching pink silk dress. The off-shoulder minidress, paired with minimalist silver jewelry and a pretty pink lip, made her the picture of elegance and royalty as if she’d come straight out of a fairytale. Come 2023, we’re hoping Bahiyyih makes an appearance on a runway soon!
