BLACKPINK’s Rosé has returned to Korea after a whirlwind Paris Fashion Week, facing both glamour and controversy.
On October 2, Rosé arrived at Incheon International Airport after attending the Saint Laurent 2026 S/S Womenswear Collection in Paris. Alongside her was Lisa, who had participated in Louis Vuitton’s showcase. The two idols drew attention as they appeared hand-in-hand, smiling warmly at fans and cameras despite the ongoing controversy.
The issue began when ELLE UK posted an image featuring celebrities from the Saint Laurent show but excluded Rosé, despite her status as the brand’s global ambassador. Fans criticized the omission as “racially discriminatory,” especially as Rosé had garnered significant attention for her striking pale blue slip suit.
Singer Charli XCX also sparked backlash when she shared a group photo where Rosé’s image appeared darkened. Although Charli later uploaded another photo with Rosé included, the move did little to quell fan frustration.
Despite the uproar, Rosé chose a path of dignity and gratitude. On her social media, she wrote: “Thank you for inviting me to such an amazing show. Your work and the way you lead are beautiful. Love you.”
She tagged Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello, showing appreciation rather than bitterness.
Meanwhile, Lisa complemented the scene with a calm and chic blue knit set, while Rosé opted for a casual yet edgy all-black airport look. Their united appearance symbolized solidarity, earning praise from fans who admired their poise.
As of now, ELLE UK has not released an official statement, though it later uploaded a solo image of Rosé with the caption highlighting her look.
This incident has sparked wider discussions about racial bias in fashion media, but Rosé’s handling of the situation—thanking collaborators instead of addressing negativity—has been widely applauded as a mark of grace.
