New York, N.Y. — K-pop sensation Lisa made headlines Monday night as she attended the Met Gala for the first time, only to find herself at the center of a heated controversy over her striking fashion choice.
The 28-year-old Blackpink member graced the red carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton outfit designed to align with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a celebration of Black dandyism. Her bold ensemble included an embroidered black blazer, logo tights, and a sheer lace bodysuit, which drew significant attention for its daring silhouette, particularly around the lower half.
However, the outfit stirred a firestorm of criticism on social media. Observers noticed the lace bodysuit bore a graphic print featuring several faces, including one many commentators suggested resembled the late civil rights leader Rosa Parks. This aspect of her attire fueled immediate backlash online, with many questioning the appropriateness of such imagery in the context of the outfit.
Comments on social platforms expressed outrage at the perceived insensitivity of the design. One user pointedly remarked, “Rosa Parks on your underwear less than three months after a viral video shows you using a racial slur is quite questionable.” Another commentator questioned the wisdom of using images of influential Black women in such a manner, calling into question the intentions behind her fashion choice.
The controversy intensified just weeks after resurfaced audition tapes featuring Lisa and her bandmates reportedly using a racial slur during a performance. The lack of public acknowledgment or apology from any of the group members has only added to the outrage among fans and critics alike.
Despite the backlash, a representative from Louis Vuitton clarified to media outlets that the design was created by American artist Henry Taylor, who contributed to Pharrell Williams’ spring 2024 collection. The representative indicated that the printed faces are of individuals significant to Taylor, but it remains unverified whether Rosa Parks was included among them.
By the end of the gala, the phrase “Rosa Parks underwear” had gone viral, symbolizing how quickly public perception can transform in the age of social media. One critic encapsulated the sentiments of many when they labeled Lisa’s outfit as the “hands down worst look of the night.”
As Lisa has yet to respond to the growing wave of criticism, the incident raises broader questions about the intersection of fashion, culture, and sensitivity in today’s celebrity landscape.