6 K-Pop Idols Who Slayed Their Runway Debuts At International Fashion Week Shows
Pop Culture

7 K-pop Idols Who Slayed Their Runway Debuts At International Fashion Week Shows

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The world is their runway.
BY Nica Glorioso
03.08.2024

From Felix to Lisa, Jeno to Shownu, these K-pop idols have not just dominated the stage—they’ve also dominated international Fashion Week runways.

Related: From Front Row Seats to the Runway: Heart Evangelista Finally Walks at Paris Fashion Week

There’s no denying that K-pop, Hallyu, and fashion are intrinsically connected. From idols’ stage outfits to them being high-end brand ambassadors due to their impact, the intersection between the idol industry and the fashion industry has given way for these artists to explore art in a different way—through fashion.

Over the years, more and more idols have been invited to grace international Fashion Week events as front-row guests, from BLACKPINK’s Lisa for Celine (and now Louis Vuitton) to SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan for Louboutin, truly marking the global impact of idols on industries of media, entertainment, culture, and fashion. Few, however, have made it to the runway as models—an honor bestowed to those who each brand believes has the skill and star power to elevate their showcase. Several idols have made the leap from front row to walking in a show for the “Big Four” of fashion weeks—namely those set in New York, London, Paris, and Milan.

Check out the list of K-pop idols below who have stepped, stomped, and strutted down major Fashion Week runways from Paris to New York as they take their talents to high fashion.

FELIX (STRAY KIDS)

Australian idol, rapper, and singer Felix from boy group Stray Kids is one of the most recent idols to walk a high-end runway at one of the most awaited Fashion Week shows in the world. Sporting a sleek platinum bob and an icy, futuristic ensemble designed by Nicholas Ghesquière, Felix strutted down the Louis Vuitton womenswear Fall-Winter 2024-2025 show in Paris. He was also joined by actress Jung Hoyeon on the finale runway, both global ambassadors, and this year models, for one of the biggest fashion houses in the world.

SHOWNU (MONSTA X)

@monsta_x_514 #NYFW2024 D-DAY #셔누 #SHOWNU #MONSTA_X #MONSTAX ♬ 오리지널 사운드 – 몬스타엑스_MONSTA X

MONSTA X’s Shownu came back from his mandatory military enlistment last year and has since been ~serving~ in a wholly different way. The idol group leader and vocalist was the definition of hunk as he debuted on a New York Fashion Week runway for Concept Korea, a fashion show that brings the best of South Korea’s designs to a global stage. As an ambassador for Concept Korea, Shownu modeled designs from all participating designers MMAM, CHARM’S, and KIMMY.J and totally wrecked the Internet. No biggie.

JENO (NCT)

Speaking of breaking the Internet, Jeno of K-pop supergroup NCT and NCT Dream made history as the first K-pop idol to ever open a New York Fashion Week show for designer Peter Do back in 2022. With his sharp features befitting the contemporary, daring designs of Peter Do, Jeno’s Fashion Week stint was a major pop culture moment.

LISA (BLACKPINK)

Although we now know her to be a Fashion Week veteran, soloist and BLACKPINK member Lisa first got her chance to walk the runway in 2021. She walked for Celine’s Spring-Summer 2022 show in Nice, France. But that’s not all! For her second time strutting down the runway in 2022, Lisa expertly navigated the halls of Parisian landmarks, perfectly emanating the edgy-cool it-girl energy that made Celine partner with the artist. She was also front row at Louis Vuitton this year (supporting fellow idol Felix, too!), wearing archival LV looks that were nothing short of epic.

BM (KARD)

The ever-so-cool BM, or Big Matthew, of co-ed idol group KARD, embodied his inner luxurious, chill, preppy jock as he walked a sun-soaked baseball field in Milan for the BOSS x Russell Athletic Fall-Winter 2021 show. In the same runway as top models Gigi Hadid, Irinia Shayk, Adut Akech, BM held his own, decked out in a casual, all-white ensemble that perfectly matched his hair.

DK (IKON)

@dkingworldwide KIM DONGHYUK @DK NEW YORK FASHION WEEK DEBUT ANNIV ~ Ulkin's Starring Model & Show Music Manager at NYFW ~ with the shirt he designed for his 1st Fashion collab #SmileWithDK #DONGHYUK #DK #iKON #KPOP #IDOL #NYFW #MODEL ♬ Kiss Me – DK SOLO – iKON

At the 2022 New York Fashion Week for Spring-Summer 2023, Concept Korea brought iKON’s DK to the runway in modern looks designed by eco- and socially-conscious brand UL:KIN. The singer and dancer sported two outfits: a torso-baring fisherman-inspired look and a dark, edgy ensemble with a coat overlaid with netting. These UL:KIN looks, and the collection, highlighted their use of materials used in magnet fishing and their focus on upcycling.

MINO (WINNER)

mino model fashion week k-pop idols fashion week

FILIPPO FIOR/GORUNWAY.COM

First things first—what a killer outfit. Rapper and artist Mino of idol group WINNER debuted with this colorful but subtle look at the Place Dauphin at Paris Fashion Week for the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2020 fashion show in 2019. Handpicked by the late Virgil Abloh, former artistic director at the brand, Mino was the first K-pop idol to walk for Louis Vuitton. Trailblazer!

BONUS: Seoul Fashion Week Models

Seoul Fashion Week, though unfortunately not as established quiet yet as the other fashion weeks, more frequently features idols strutting down the runway. From SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu to BLACKSWAN, many idols have graced the runway. Below are just a few idols that have walked Seoul Fashion Week runways over the years. Let us know who you want to see strut down designer runways next!

Continue Reading: Did You Know, These 10 Filipino Idols Are Also Actors?

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