How The White Lotus Star Lisa’s Fashion Formula Sets Her Apart

Chances are, when you think of K-pop group Blackpink, you think of Lisa — at least right now.

While all members of the girl group are stars in their own right (are you even on the internet if you’re not blasting “like JENNIE” on your speakers?), there’s no denying that Lisa — Thailand’s answer to Beyoncé — is currently the name on everybody’s lips. From landing a breakout role on the latest season of HBO’s The White Lotus to releasing her debut solo album, Alter Ego, Lisa set out to make a name for herself independent of her girl group roots — and she’s doing it right.

Her style has been a major factor in this shift, with fans watching the singer go from K-pop royalty to avant-garde fashion darling. In the past few years, Lisa has become a front-row fixture at fashion week. She takes style risks on the red carpet and has been named brand ambassador of Celine, Louis Vuitton and Bulgari. The secret sauce to her sartorial success? Leaning into her individuality, welcoming change and continuously evolving — and we’re happy to come along for the ride.

When fans first met Lisa as a member of Blackpink in 2016, her look was heavily influenced by the group’s collective image. The freshly-discovered singer and her bandmates sported outfits with a clear K-pop influence. At the time, her outfits were heavy on whimsy and rife with colour and texture — not to mention an eye-catching wig or two.

In March 2020, she was appointed the first brand ambassador in Celine’s history, a testament to both the growing influence of K-pop and Lisa’s steady rise as a fashion icon. At the time, Lisa said of the appointment: “To me, Celine is unrivalled, and Hedi Slimane has such a multifaceted talent — from clothing design to photography. He creates this rare, incredible, and desirable world through his vision. I’m always inspired by his work.” The appointment came several years after Lisa and Celine’s creative director Hedi Slimane first met, with the latter photographing the pop star for the House.

After the announcement of her ambassadorship and her stint walking at Celine’s Summer 2022 show, Lisa was officially cemented in the upper echelons of the fashion world. Perhaps influenced by Celine’s classic cuts and simplicity, the artist’s style also started to shift as she began to incorporate more tailored looks into her red carpet style.

In May 2023, Lisa turned heads at the Venice launch of luxury jewellery brand Bulgari’s latest collection, opting for an Old Hollywood-inspired off-the-shoulder gown by Antonio Riva Milano Collection (paired with Bulgari diamonds, of course!).

And in September of last year, the singer attended the VMAs in a futuristic confection from Mugler, complete with a cream corset and hood.

The key to Lisa’s fashion formula isn’t just a great stylist (although that undoubtedly helps). It boils down to the singer’s ability to meld both her OG K-pop influences — think bold prints and dramatic shapes — with more classic silhouettes from legacy brands like Louis Vuitton and Mugler. To Lisa, fashion is a game of concepts and contrasts. By mixing a variety of elements, she creates looks that feel effortlessly cool and edgy. Take, for example, a cheetah-printed look she wore to the opening of a Celine store in Bangkok in 2023.

In February of this year, the newly-minted actress leaned into sartorial drama at the Bangkok premiere of The White Lotus, walking the carpet in a sculptural Schiaparelli gown with illusion side cut-outs.

And most recently at the 97th Academy Awards, the singer — who was the first K-pop star to perform at the prestigious awards show, alongside Raye and Doja Cat no less — walked the carpet in a croc-printed leather corset dress from Korean label Miss Sohee.

Another element that sets the artist apart is the role her heritage plays in her fashion choices. Known to integrate Thai culture into her ensembles, Lisa shared in a video interview with Vogue, “If I have a chance to wear something traditional, I’ll do that.” And she has delivered on that promise multiple times over, with one of the most memorable outfits being a modern mini dress, cut from traditional Thai silk, featured in her 2021 music video for “Lalisa.”

Lisa’s fashion evolution mirrors her career — a combination of calculated risk-taking and authenticity. Fans of Lisa’s have witnessed her evolve from a member of a pop quartet to a full-fledged soloist. And her style — from the designers she works with to the silhouettes she gravitates towards — reflects that trajectory.