Few celebrities are instantly synonymous with the brands they’re ambassadors for, but for the starlet who’s been nicknamed ‘Human Chanel’ by her legion of fans, it definitely seems like something’s being done right. None other than Jennie Kim claims the honour of being Karl Lagerfeld’s last chosen muse, before his passing in 2019. Handpicked by the legend himself, the K-pop idol’s longtime relationship with the French luxury house has indeed been one to witness over the past six years, since she became the face of Chanel Beauty in 2017 and became the house’s official global ambassador in 2019.
As it goes, her recent debut on the Met Gala red carpet on the first Monday in May was one made with doubtless impact—considering the evening’s theme. In honour of Karl Lagerfeld, Jennie sifted into a specially recreated dress out of the house’s 1990 archives, holding her own in the maison’s signature codes: of black-and-white and camellia blooms. But that’s not the only time the house ambassador has chosen to make her red carpet entrance in Chanel. Time and time again, the South Korean darling has opted to take up arms in an electrifying ensemble from the maison—without forgetting to embellish it with a definitive edge that only the BLACKPINK member would be capable of.
Likewise, Chanel knows exactly how to orbit around the eclectic universe of its beloved muse. Case in point? For the quartet’s Born Pink World Tour, they delivered on two exquisitely crafted custom ensembles for her to don on stage, each one melding the two worlds in harmony: of the heritage house’s codes and that of K-pop idol Jennie Kim. But strip away those magical red carpet ball gowns and those delicious head-to-toe looks prepared for her fashion show appearances, and one might encounter a sense of joyful ease still. Derived only from the comfort that the K-pop idol seems to glean from wearing her favourite brand no matter the hour, be it always having her Chanel 22 bag on hand or simply slipping into a micro tee and a pair of jeans for an afternoon with friends.
Traipse down fashion’s cosmic memory lane all the way back to their early days together and you just might catch a glimpse of it—how Chanel has always had a part to play in Jennie’s impeccable wardrobe choices. With only more shared moments to come, Vogue Singapore looks back on all the times Jennie proved why she was always meant to be a Chanel girl.
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Jennie in a vintage baby tee, 2018
Like a capture right out of the aughts, Jennie’s cropped baby tee paired with a pair of black trousers channelled effortless cool.
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Jennie in a tweed suit ensemble at the Chanel spring/summer 2019 show, 2018
As one of her earliest appearances at a Chanel fashion show, this powder blue tweed suit is one not to be missed—a nostalgic nod to Jennie’s early relationship with the house.
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Jennie in a Chanel cardigan set, 2019
What better way to prove her loyalty to Chanel than to don a simple, everyday look out of the house’s catalogue? Jennie does it best in a preppy cardigan look from the house’s spring/summer 2019 collection teamed perfectly with a pair of casual shorts and a pair of cuffs.
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Jennie in a snow-white outfit at the Chanel fall/winter 2019 show, 2019
Ever the charmer, Jennie pulled up to the fall/winter 2019 show in a winter white tweed dress—befitting of the snow-capped landscape that served as the runway’s background.
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Jennie in a Chanel-print slip dress, 2019
Just another one for the memory book. The Blinks always love it when their favourite four are captured hanging out together in more casual situations and this iconic snap is no exception. Out for a picnic with fellow BLACKPINK member Lisa, Jennie dons a printed sundress—with a pair of suave shades to match.
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Jennie in a printed Chanel scarf top, 2019
To mark the launch of its first Seoul flagship and tenth boutique in South Korea and celebrate the debut of the Chanel Pharrell collection, the BLACKPINK star rolled up to the Apgujeong space wearing a Chanel scarf repurposed as a top and an eye-catching red coat to go with it.
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Jennie in a sky blue tweed dress, 2019
Perhaps—the first inklings of ‘The Idol’ were born here. In a coincidental stroke of luck, this sky blue tweed dress from the house’s spring/summer 2019 collection was first worn by Lily-Rose Depp just a few months before, and many likened the house muses together.
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Jennie in a chic Parisian set at the Chanel spring/summer 2020 show, 2019
Leave it to Jennie to channel Parisian chic with a tweed violet jacket and jeans ensemble for her appearance at the spring/summer 2020 show.
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Jennie in a peek-a-boo jumpsuit, 2020
We’re sure the Blinks have filed this one in their list of Jennie looks to bookmark. Apart from her signature two-tone moment, the classic CC emblem was emblazoned on a cropped top under her jumpsuit.
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Jennie in a Chanel printed dress, 2021
Reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, this one-shouldered dress delivered on vintage appeal, with Chanel block prints all over.
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Jennie in sakura pink, 2021
Snapped on a casual day out enjoying the cherry blossoms, Jennie was a saccharine-sweet vision in Chanel, looking pretty in pink.
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Jennie in a crimson two-piece look at the Chanel spring/summer 2022 show, 2021
Veering away from her sweeter image, the K-pop idol dialled up on the edge and appeared at the spring/summer 2022 show all decked out in a crimson vest-and-skirt set from the house, paired with a bejewelled belt.
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Jennie in a two-piece set at the Chanel fall/winter 2022 show, 2022
Sporting an embroidered velvet blouson and matching skirt from Virginie Viard’s pre-fall collection, the star amped up the shine by way of her layered necklaces and 18k gold Coco crush rings.
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Jennie in a one-shouldered knit dress at the Chanel spring/summer 2023 show, 2022
For last year’s spring/summer 2023 show in Paris, Jennie made her highly-awaited appearance in a soft Rue Cambon-inspired look—a knitted dress with an oversized cardigan to go with it.
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Jennie in custom Chanel for her Born Pink tour, 2022
Viard dreamt up not one, but two unique looks for the BLACKPINK member who was embarking on her Born Pink World Tour. Her first one was reminiscent of the house’s bridal looks—created out of lace and featuring the house’s emblematic camellia bloom as a centrepiece for its ribbon waist.
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Jennie in custom Chanel for her Born Pink tour, 2022
Inspired by Chanel’s other signature house codes, this particular Chanel design saw a cardigan-inspired look pired with leg warmers, flats and a huge ribbon in her hair—everything screamed balletcore about this particular one.
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Jennie in a Chanel tweed set, 2023
On a trip to Paris, the star caught a snap of herself in the hotel’s corridors: wearing no less than a Chanel tweed set (that was accompanied by a tweed Mini Flap bag to go with it).
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Jennie in archival Chanel for the Met Gala, 2023
Adding to the ever-growing list of Jennie’s accolades, her Met Gala debut was done in true Chanel fashion: an archival black-and-white look, pulled from the 1990s.
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Jennie in a Chanel bridal custom look for Cannes Film Festival, 2023
Should magical, extravagant frocks be up your alley, perhaps this particular moment of Jennie in a bridal-inspired look that the star wore to the Cannes Film Festival might satisfy your every desire.
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Jennie in a Chanel tweed look for 'The Idol' premiere, 2023
In line with the salacious, bold character of Dyanne, Jennie’s role in ‘The Idol’, the singer-turned-actor opted for a tweed halter neck vest, paired with a high-slit skirt for the show’s afterparty in Cannes.
