Gone were the days where only Hollywood celebrities and supermodels were appointed as brand ambassadors of global fashion houses.
With the power of Korean wave and inclusivity, more Korean celebrities have taken up those appointments, acting as ambassadors either for Korea or the global market.
Here are Korean celebrities who have fronted luxury fashion brands.
Tthe Thai-born K-pop singer/rapper is not only the brand ambassador for Bvlgari, but was recently announced as the Global Ambassador for Celine!
The EXO star, who was in Singapore for Prada’s Spring/Summer 2019 Party, is now the ambassador for the brand. He stars in a special film, where he and Irene interpret Prada’s surreal glamour through their own identities.
Alongside Chanyeol, Irene was also announced as a brand ambassador for Prada. Since her Instagram posts in April this year, rumours have been rife that she would be working with the fashion house after she tagged them in the posts wearing their bags, which she doesn’t usually do for brands.
It’s not every day that Gucci chooses a Korean ambassador. Their first happens to be Kai, who is known for his slim stature and modelesque height. The singer started attending Gucci shows is 2018 before being appointed as an ambassador in 2019 through an eyewear campaign.
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The Korean actress, known for her roles in Korean dramas such as Descendants of the Sun and Autumn in my Heart, was chosen as the brand ambassador for Chaumet not only in Korea, but Asia Pacific, in December 2018. And we reckon her elegance makes her a perfect fit for the brand!
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In January this year, the actor was appointed as the global model for Calvin Klein, making him the first Korean actor to be given that appointment. According the reports, he was chosen as they found him a perfect fit with their young and modern image.
It obviously takes a queen like Jun Ji Hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) to front a brand like Alexander McQueen. The actress was appointed as the brand’s first Korean ambassador in June 2020.
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Let’s be real, G-Dragon was one of the first K-pop celebrities anyone has associated with Chanel. The Big Bang leader was appointed as their brand ambassador in 2017, having attended their fashion shows for years prior. And if there’s anything that sets him apart from other ambassadors, it’s that he injects his personal style into any piece he wears.
The 24-year-old was first appointed as the brand ambassador for Chanel Beauty in 2018 before she started fronting the fashion house. She fits the brand’s style so much that she is affectionately known as “Human Chanel” among fans.
In December, Longines announced that the actor would be joining other A-list celebrities to be their brand ambassador. Woo Sung was appointed as one of the “Ambassadors of Elegance” and if you’ve seen him in any interviews, you’ll immediately understand why the title is so befitting for him.
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He was the first Korean actor to be appointed as the brand ambassador for Cartier in Korea, and has also been appointed as Burberry‘s brand ambassador. The actor boasts a unique style that is quirky yet polished, so it’s no surprise that brands would want to be associated with him.
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Not every can be a designer’s muse, but the Korean actress is one of the lucky ones to be Louis Vuitton‘s Nicolas Ghesquière’s muse in 2016. Since then, she has been the brand ambassador and is a front row fixture in the brand’s runway shows. She even walked the runway for the 2018 Cruise collection in Japan.
The actor has been chosen as the face of Dior Men not only in Korea, but in Asia, in 2019. And honestly, with his modelling roots, we’re not surprised that brand had set their eyes on him!
In 2018, the actor was appointed as the brand ambassador for Swiss watch brand, Jaeger-LeCoultre. The top actor, who has even acted in Hollywood films, is known for his poise, so the appointment was definitely not out of left field.
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The Itaewon Class actor was chosen as the brand ambassador of Montblanc Korea in 2018. His appointment came after his rise in popularity after appearing in dramas such as Hwarang and variety show Youn’s Kitchen 2. He was seen sporting the Star Legacy Full Calendar in Itaewon Class.
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The singer‘s appointment was quite recent – Saint Laurent announced in June that she would be a global face for the brand through a series of images and videos posted on their Instagram page.