No other K-pop idol has left a bigger effects on the manner environment than EXO Kai.

2021 is the 12 months that the trend world truly embraced K-Pop stars. BTS was named ambassadors of Louis Vuitton, Blackpink’s Lisa walked for a Celine manner clearly show, and her fellow associates fronted strategies for luxury brand names like Chanel and Tiffany & Co. But no one has remaining a more substantial impression than Kai, the sensational “dancing machine” of EXO.

This 12 months, Kai was the only South Korean idol in Lyst’s spherical-up of famous people whose fashion decisions have resulted in the most significant spikes in searches and income. According to the manner purchasing system, he ranked at fifth area, making him additional influential than stars like Harry Models, Woman Gaga, Rihanna, and both of those the Biebers.

To K-Pop supporters, the information might not fully come as a shock. Considering that debuting as section of the boyband EXO, Kai has established himself aside with his charismatic phase existence, dancing abilities, and feeling of design and style. He was noted for his impeccably polished airport style, which provided blazers, turtleneck sweaters and properly-slash trousers that suited his svelte figure. It was not extensive just before he caught the awareness of Gucci, who named him as brand name ambassador in 2019.

[Header photo credit: SM Entertainment]

Now that Kai has just produced a comeback with his second solo album, Peaches, it might be quick to neglect his design and style qualifications in favour of his musical and overall performance ones. Which is why we’ve highlighted some essential moments in his vocation that solidified his rightful position as a trend icon.

5 times Kai proved that he was the K-Pop king of fashion:

His initial marketing campaign for Gucci

Gucci Eyewear F/W 2019 campaign (Photo credit: Gucci)
Gucci Eyewear F/W 2019 marketing campaign (Picture credit rating: Gucci)

Kai manufactured his debut as Gucci ambassador in the Italian manner label’s Slide/Winter 2019 eyewear campaign, starring alongside Chinese actress Ni Ni. The photographs, shot by American filmmaker and photographer Harmony Korine, offered us our initially glimpse of Kai as the face of an intercontinental luxury brand name. He easily embodied Gucci’s distinctive, vintage-motivated aesthetic as he sported the brand’s retro glasses and tailoring. He would once more be tapped by designer Alessandro Michele to front Gucci’s S/S 2020 eyewear marketing campaign, this time exhibiting off his modelling abilities in a manner film.

His collaboration with Gucci

Kai x Gucci collection (Photo credit: Gucci)
Kai x Gucci collection (Picture credit rating: Gucci)

Just after sitting down entrance row at runway reveals and modelling for trend campaigns, Kai took points to yet another stage in 2021. He teamed up with Gucci for a limited-version capsule selection, producing him the initial Korean movie star to at any time do so. (In point, couple of other Gucci ambassadors have ever been presented the honour.) The Kai x Gucci collection, as it was identified as, revolved all around his fondness for teddy bears the childhood toy motif was stamped across monogrammed purses, leather-based merchandise, sneakers and outfits for both equally men and gals. When the assortment launched, it sold out pretty much right away. In accordance to Lyst, it also led to an increase in queries for Gucci by 264 for each cent — proof of Kai’s worldwide affect on vogue developments.

Seoul Manner Week

Kai ambassador of Seoul Fashion Week 2022
(Photograph credit rating: Seoul Style 7 days)

In September 2021, Kai was picked as the ambassador of Seoul Vogue 7 days. It is no little feat to be picked between lots of celebrities to depict South Korea’s most significant style event, a great deal a lot less for its 21st anniversary. In a movie marketing the function, Kai remarked on his own romantic relationship with manner: “I use garments to convey myself. I applied to only believe about how to sing or how to dance, but now that I’ve been a singer for ten years, I came to consider about how to convey myself as an artist.”

His Gucci Aria campaign

Kai wears a red velvet suit, inspired by the iconic one designed by Tom Ford for Gwyneth Paltrow in the '90s. (Photo credit: Gucci)
Kai wears a red velvet fit, inspired by the legendary 1 intended by Tom Ford for Gwyneth Paltrow in the ’90s. (Photo credit history: Gucci)

Gucci once again chosen Kai to star in its marketing campaign — not just for eyewear, but for its Aria Fall/Winter 2021 selection, which marked the Italian style brand’s 100th anniversary. For it, Kai was photographed among a dreamy winter season landscape wearing noteworthy variations, this sort of as Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic purple velvet accommodate. He also did a lot more than product for the accompanying style film, which highlighted him doing what he does greatest: dancing.

His solo new music promotions

A look from Kai's Peaches album. (Photo credit: SM Entertainment)
A seem from Kai’s Peaches album. (Image credit score: SM Entertainment)

Due to the fact making his solo debut in 2020, Kai has explored this partnership with fashion even far more. The singer plays an active purpose in styling his music video clips and album ideas, functioning together with his workforce. “I go all around finding clothes myself,” he stated. “Concept is the most vital thing. We have to assume about whether we want to play it protected or get up a obstacle.” Plainly, he’s long gone for latter. When selling Mmmh, Kai’s outfits leaned towards androgynous, and provided traditionally feminine parts like lace blouses and corsets. He has continued to thrust design boundaries in his Peaches era, for which he has boldly worn skirts by buzzy trend models like Peter Do. With a daring and unconventional technique to design, it’s no marvel he’s a person of K-Pop most important trend influencers.

This post very first appeared on Way of life Asia Singapore.