Saint Laurent is a renowned French luxury fashion firm that is now overseen by Anthony Vaccarello, who has just designated Blackpink’s Rose as the worldwide ambassador. This appointment marks the first instance in 59 years that the fashion house has chosen a global ambassador, in addition to Rose serving as a muse for the esteemed luxury cosmetics brand, Yves Saint Laurent YSL Beaute. Vocalist Rose is a highly imaginative individual recognized for her distinctive vocal timbre. She has garnered acclaim not just for her unique and recognizable voice, but also for her visually striking appearance and stylish demeanor, which exude a cool and elegant essence. The individual in question has a combination of musical abilities and artistic features that make her an ideal candidate for YSL. Additionally, her trendy image aligns nicely with the fashion house’s ethos, characterized by a unique blend of raw elegance and refinement.
Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) has a notable historical record of collaborating with several bands and benefiting from the significant contributions of muses to the fashion brand. Rose effectively maintains the Parisian flare and rock ‘n’ roll edge look of the brand, while also infusing her own artistic creativity and personal touch into the fashion businesses. In her capacity as an ambassador, she is often seen using YSL attire in many contexts, including music videos, concerts, editorials, appearances, daily ensembles, and brand ads. These outfits are carefully selected to align with her own inclination towards effortlessly stylish and contemporary aesthetics, sometimes characterized by a touch of edginess or distinctively modern elements.
When asked about her relationship to fashion and YSL in an interview with Vogue she stated, “I think fashion reflects a lot of my personality. If you look into why I wore this and what made me wear that, you will learn what the process of my brain is like. YSL has the best casual but classic and vintage styled items so it really balances out with my own styling.”
Many times Rose’s style takes inspiration from the various genres of music she dabbles in, giving her a wide range of styles that are all bold with strong and cool charisma that inspires many. The stylist of Blackpink of Rose’s look feels that she has a street style lenient of cool due to her musical pursuits and youthful style that is a bit mischievous. With her cool aesthetic, appearance, and style with strong personality, she perfectly captures what it means to be a YSL woman through her style as she usually can be seen in outfits that combine Parisian elegance with a rock-infused essence that is balanced out with a softer bohemian vibe in her fashion.
The fashion house is one of elegance, complexity, rebellion, and freedom founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé who contributed to the fashion industry through their differing approach to fashion within his fresh perspective of the importance of not only elegance but also comfort for women that are conveyed in the groundbreaking designs of the house which Rosé expresses and aids in carrying on the legacy of.
Which she does as Brand ambassador is defined as a person who is formally recognized and employed by the brand as a representative to raise brand awareness and promote products. Often they are the face commonly associated with the fashion house as they will embody the identity of the brand through their own appearance, demeanor, and values. I speak more on this in the first video of the Blackpink and high fashion brand ambassadorship series which focuses on Lisa’s style and the fashion house Celine.
Influence is a crucial skill and talent as a brand ambassador, which Rose has mastered through her achievements in presence and influence that have made her work with YSL incredibly far-reaching and accessible to those who enjoy her music. For instance, in April 2019, Rosé was the ninth most-followed K-Pop idol on Instagram and at the time of this video possessed 36.9m followers. As of January 2021, Rosé is the third most-followed Korean individual on Instagram. For years since 2018, she has shined on the Korean Business Research Institute’s female celebrity brand reputation list, a chart that tracks Korean celebrities with the most online searches and engagements, and previously reached the top 10.
Rosé often shares her personal style through her posts on her Instagram as well as a look behind the scenes of her work in fashion with YSL preparing for performances along with numerous magazines and editorial works, giving fans a look into her creative projects and style. Rose contributes to YSL not only through her personal fashion but also by her influence- an example of this is how the singer invited her (at the time) 33.2 million Instagram followers to “go watch” the YSL Summer 2021 collection which ended up garnering 120.8 million views according to house records. With top searches and a large following, Rose also brings YSL to the public and is able to express herself as well as the aesthetic to supplement her creative endeavors in music through her clothing.
The founder of the house was an arts enthusiast who stressed the importance of not just wearing clothing, but being an individual explaining that “clothes must be subordinated to the personality of a woman, and not vice versa.” which is exactly how Rose interacts with clothes and utilizes her style through YSL’s chic meets haute bohemian rock aesthetic.
For instance, in her new music video “On the Ground” alongside many other glamorous and ensembles looks that capture her spirit as an artist Rosé is seen in an Alex Perry Strapless hot pink gown with a leather biker jacket from Saint Laurent and finished off with Bassline Traitor Boots- A vigorous look that holds a heavy yet strong vibe with a soft essence to go with the other glamorous, rebellious, and poetic imagery of the song’s visuals.
Rose offers a differing sensibility as a vocalist which makes her work very idiosyncratic, much like current YSL creative director Anthony Vaccarello who is a Belgian fashion designer, Prior to this he held the position of creative director at Versus Versace, as well as designing his own eponymous line. He is well known for his sophisticated tributes, sensitivity within his work, and empowering contemporary perspective which he brings to the fashion house.
Anthony Vaccarello appointed Rosé to the house. The relationships between the vocalist and the brand was officially solidified in her debut for YSL32 the fall 2020 campaign where she is in a film short by prestigious photographer David Sims in the intimate black and white videography- a staple of imagery of the house. In it, she perfectly captures the essence of the brand while retaining her personal style. She can be seen in a black lace mini dress dancing to the track Shut Me Down by Rowland S. Howard. In another film of the same series she is sporting a leopard print blouse, black slim-fitting trousers, croc leather belt, and snake lock bangle.
In another short film shot by David Sims Rose is featured to showcase THE newly launched SOLFERINO bag a classic SATCHEL BAG WITH a FRONT FLAP AND PIVOTING METAL YSL CLOSURE that was dubbed a must-have accessory of the season. She wears a ruffled white lace blouse with the beige leather Solferino bag slung effortlessly over her shoulder for this campaign. Rosé, known for her interest and taste in handbags from a young age who now is constantly seen with a YSL bag has caused a staggering increase of 1168% with online store searches after her campaign. On the chart to the right, data from iPrice Group covers the influence of Rosé’s campaign in specific countries.
Influence is a crucial skill and talent as a brand ambassador, which Rose has mastered through her achievements in presence and influence that have made her work with YSL incredibly far-reaching and accessible to those who enjoy her music. For instance, in April 2019, Rosé was the ninth most-followed K-Pop idol on Instagram and at the time of this video possessed 36.9m followers. As of January 2021, Rosé is the third most-followed Korean individual on Instagram. For years since 2018, she has shined on the Korean Business Research Institute’s female celebrity brand reputation list, a chart that tracks Korean celebrities with the most online searches and engagements, and previously reached the top 10.
Recently in 2020, she carried on the laid back effortless theme in a campaign film shot by GRAY SORRENTI Rose is wearing denim by anthony Vaccarello where she wears a double denim look as well as a denim look with a blouse, mini shorts, and thigh high boots paired off with a statement belt.
In 2021, Rosé officially became the newest face of YSL Beauty making her not only a fashion muse but also a beauty muse as well. This was announced in a video on Vogue Korea, captioned “Yves Saint Laurent Beauty’s new muse Rosé’s new digital pictorial release. Please meet her flawless skin and unrivaled aura, made complete with YSL Beauty’s first couture marble pact.” In this promotional piece, she is in an all-black look with gold accents to coordinate with the luxurious look of the YSL beauty aesthetic.
ON THE 24 September 2019, Rose made her first appearance at a Saint Laurent fashion show for Spring 2020 Ready-to-Wear. The collection was a reiteration of classic brand offerings such as le smoking and Russian-themed prints executed within a 1976 street and rock wear-esque looks that Vaccarello adapted into a more delicate type of offering through his fine and elegant sensibility. The collection holds an easy romanticism of style that is unique to the brand. Rose was seated front row alongside other artists such as actors and musicians. The collection’s atmosphere was suitable for the artist due to the sensation of the city and concert-inspired atmosphere. Rose’s outfit matched the occasion, a classic le smoking styled jacket with a matching black YSL bag and heels. She shared her experience on social media and was seated with other artists such as musicians and actors.
To attend her second Saint Laurent show FALL 2020 READY-TO-WEAR, the vocalist again wore a head-to-toe YSL look featuring a velvet blazer, unbuttoned white dress shirt, micro tuxedo shorts, knee-high brown boots, and a cross-body bag. This collection practiced restrained elegance and bold sexuality. and a riff of empowering designs that hold sex appeal with a focus on endorsing women’s rights to express themselves. Rose would later on wear garments from this collection on multiple occasions such as promotional appearances and editorial work.
Rose appeared in the October 2019 issue of DAZED in collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent which features three different types of covers for Rose. In an interview for this publication, she stated “I like Saint Laurent and I like the way I look in Saint Laurent, Saint Laurent has powerful feelings. The silhouette is very nice, neat, and angular. A sharp outfit rather than a bold one” She made another solo appearance in Dazed with a more laid-back style featuring chic staple offerings of the brand with tousled hair and minimal makeup. It has a softer essence with a bit of edge that Rose is often seen in as well as with the sharper outfits.
For W Korea, April 2020 again in collaboration with YSL, a more personal shoot of her prior to entering the showroom for YSL 2020 F/W. In one look she she is sporting a Single-breasted Jacket in velvet and silk, high-rise stirrup leggings in jersey, and Cassandra platform sandals in patent leather with a black monogram. In another look, a Saint Laurent teddy jacket with embroidered YSL logo, tailored mini shorts in grain de poudre Saint Laurent, and the Kate high Boots in crocodile embossed leather.
In another shoot in the black and white portraiture themes of YSL created by defined by previous creative director Hedi Slimane and carried on by Vaccarello, Rose modeled the clothing for Elle Korea’s July 2020 Issue posing elegantly. Often on group shoots, Rose wears YSL as the other members wear pieces from their respective fashion houses, such as VOGUE KOREA Magazine March 2020 Issue with group shots and cover along with personal shots of each of the member’s looks. In a similar lineup for Elle Elle US October 2020 on a group shoot Rose is wearing pieces from the FALL 2020 READY-TO-WEAR fashion show she attended.
In a promotional appearance for the BP full album comeback press conference along with the rest of the members in ’24/365 with BLACKPINK’ EP.15 Rose again wore garments from YSL FALL 2020 READY-TO-WEAR, specifically a red plaid ensemble that opened the show.
On another promotional appearance, Rose can be seen in the YSL plunge V-neck fitted dress ysl for ‘THE ALBUM’ JACKET MAKING FILM- an eyecatching look accessorized with gold jewelry that flatters the body and exudes a cool aura.
In her day-to-day life, Rose wears a comfortable, cool, and chic style that is elevated by her sleek and pristine accessories, for example, this simple look Rose shared on her Instagram with a 90s inspiration that is paired with a light bag to unify the outfit. In another Instagram post she wore a polka-dot dress version with white trainers and a satchel-style handbag prior to her shoot for the autumn/winter 2020 campaign where she wears the same government but in a leopard print.
Rose is also often spotted traveling in YSL, for a more classic look she is in a single-breasted jacket, white button-down adorned with a silk tie, mid-rise skinny jeans, and black heeled boots. A clean and proper ensemble that is timeless in nature, a signature silhouette of the YSL fashion house. In another airport outfit, she is in a more cool and unique look that holds the same silhouette with a feminine lenient, but instead now is with a cropped officer tailcoat, pointed collar blouse, the same denim, knee-high boots, and the Niki medium bag in vintage leather. A cooler look that holds the same proper essence. For more laid-back travel outfits, Rose will often be seen in an elevated version by finishing off the looks with statement bags, jewelry, and coats.
She often shares her favorite pieces and fashion on her social media which many look to for inspiration. Rose’s unique, cool, and artistic style has developed through her ambassadorship and allowed her to have graceful and dynamic visuals to compliment her vocals. The synergy of Rose and YSL is one that celebrates and empowers through artistic pursuits in the image of the founder who adored the arts. Their impact together is powerful and holds great influence within the fashion industry and beyond as Rose in hand with creative director Anthony Vaccarello contributes to the narrative of the fashion house YSL.
SOURCES: BLACKPINK Rosé Featured in W Korea Magazine April 2020 Issue- https://blackpinkupdate.com/blackpink-rose-for-ysl-and-w-korea-magazine-april-2020-issue/ Blackpink’s Rosé Is A Saint Laurent Ambassador For A New Era- https://www.vogue.co.uk/miss-vogue/gallery/rose-blackpink-yves-saint-laurent?image=5efe0ca23c82f3e0c16c4f94 Rose’s Style and YSL Interview- https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/article/rose-roseanne-park-interview-fashion-style-saint-laurent Blackpink’s Rosé is the New Global Face of Saint Laurent- https://www.wmagazine.com/story/blackpink-rose-new-global-face-of-saint-laurent Shopping data reveals that BLACKPINK’s Rosé is making Saint Laurent more popular in Asia- https://www.allkpop.com/article/2020/07/shopping-data-reveals-that-blackpinks-ros-is-making-saint-laurent-a-lot-more-popular-in-asia
