K-pop star Lisa, a member of the popular group Blackpink, made her debut at the Met Gala on Monday night, but her appearance quickly sparked controversy. The 28-year-old wore a striking custom outfit by Louis Vuitton that was intended to celebrate black dandyism, fitting the theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
Lisa’s ensemble featured an embroidered black blazer and logo tights, paired with a sheer lace bodysuit that drew significant attention, especially for its provocative design. The bodysuit’s lace pattern included faces, and many observers noted that one of the faces resembled the late civil rights leader Rosa Parks.
The backlash began almost immediately on social media. Critics expressed outrage over the choice to feature the image of Parks, particularly given recent resurfaced clips showing Lisa and her bandmates using a racial slur during a performance. Many users pointed out the insensitivity of wearing a tribute to an iconic figure in the civil rights movement while being embroiled in controversy over racial issues.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) questioned the decision to put the faces of influential Black women on underwear, while others expressed disbelief that Lisa would wear such a design just months after the slur incident went viral. The controversy intensified as the phrase "Rosa Parks underwear" began trending online.
A representative from Louis Vuitton confirmed that the design was created by artist Henry Taylor, who was commissioned by Pharrell Williams for his spring 2024 collection. The rep indicated that the print features portraits of people significant to Taylor’s life, but it remains unclear if Rosa Parks is among them.
As the night continued, many fashion critics labeled Lisa’s look as the worst of the event. While she has not publicly addressed the backlash, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about cultural sensitivity and representation in fashion.