There can be no doubt each member the world's biggest girl group, K-pop sensation Blackpink, wields huge influence on the fashion industry. In The Standard’s Fashion 100 power list, which ranked the most important figures globally, the band came in at number 23 — beating the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Bella Hadid.
But between Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa — who formed the band in 2016, and have recently renewed contracts to continue their reign — who possesses most muscle when it comes to style in their own right? In 2023, that may well be Jennie Kim.
This week alone, Jennie has been announced as the new face of Jacquemus, the cult French brand by Simon Porte Jacquemus, best known for its micro bags, vast straw hats and extraordinary show locations; from fields of lavender to the river banks of the Palace of Versailles.
In photographs by New Yorker Daniel Arnold, the singer is stripped back and festive as she rolls about with various canine companions; dachshunds and shearling mini skirts; golden retrievers and forest green knits; weimaraners and red tinsel strappy party dresses — you get the picture. It comes after Kendall Jenner posed as a sultry Santa in a similar festive campaign for the label last month.
But this puppy-fest is only the final accessory dressing up one remarkable year for Jennie, who has made history as a solo artist in her own right; in December, she has become the first K-pop female soloist to hit one billion Spotify streams without a solo album (she only has three songs on the platform).
In May, after her Met Gala debut which saw her dress for the theme Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty in a vintage 1990 Chanel look (the star has been a global ambassador for Chanel since 2019), searches for ‘white minidress’ were boosted 564 per cent, as per research by Karen Millen.
And another first — Jennie made her acting debut as Dyanne in The Idol in June; HBOs’ controversial five-episode series starring The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp and Troye Sivan. It called for a Cannes Film Festival appearance for Jennie, which saw her stick to monochrome tendencies wearing a lace Chanel spring/summer 2020 couture, off-shoulder gown for the red carpet, tweed waistcoat and high slit black skirt for the afterparty, and SHUSHU/TONG black satin cocktail dress for the photo call. Starring in the raunchy show by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson was not all roses — the 27-year-old faced huge backlash in South Korea for its explicit nature.
It was not enough to put off the Palace, however — in November the band arrived London, first for a glittering State Banquet held in honour of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee at Buckingham Palace. Jennie stuck to winter white power dressing in the ‘Allegro’ off-shoulder, white gown by Australian designer Toni MatiÄevski.
But it was the following day that marked the highlight of the band's trip to the capital; King Charles presented each with Honorary MBEs for environmental services, saying: "I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars." Jennie and Rosé took home best dressed on this occasion, the former wearing a classic black, Chanel tweed skirt-suit and the latter in shoulder-padded grey blazer and pussy-bow blouse by Saint Laurent.
Let's hope for Blackpink’s great British return in 2024.
Here are Jennie’s best looks this year:
May 1, 2023
The Met Gala
May 22, 2023
The Idol Premiere red carpet during the Cannes Film Festival
May 22, 2023
The Idol Premiere afterparty during the Cannes Film Festival
May 23, 2023
The Idol photocall during the Cannes Film Festival
October 3, 2023
Chanel's SS24 front row
November 21, 2023
State Banquet at Buckingham Palace
November 22, 2023Blackpink receive Honorary MBEs at Buckingham Palace
December 2023
Jennie is the face of Jacquemus' Christmas campaign
