Aespa

South Korean group Aespa has cultivated a hyper-futuristic visual identity alongside an experimental electronic pop sound, helping establish its members — Giselle, Karina, Ningning and Winter — as fashion muses.

Formed by SM Entertainment in late 2020, Aespa’s debut single "Black Mamba" hit 100 million YouTube views in 51 days and 12 hours — the fastest debut music video by a K-pop group at the time. As the group’s global music footprint expanded through record-breaking album releases and international arena tours, individual members began forging distinct fashion alliances. The group was named Group of the Year at Billboard Women in Music in 2025, before the members expanded their individual luxury partnerships.

Chinese member Ningning (Ning Yizhuo) has assembled one of the group’s strongest luxury portfolios, becoming a global brand ambassador for Gucci in 2026 after previously representing Versace in the same role. Japanese member Giselle (Aeri Uchinaga) is a Loewe brand ambassador, while South Korean native Winter (Kim Min-jeong) represents Polo Ralph Lauren in South Korea. Fellow South Korean Karina (Yu Ji-min) has served as a Prada brand ambassador since 2024 and generated significant media value for the house during Milan Fashion Week.

All four members were appointed as brand ambassadors for Givenchy in 2021 and for Swiss jeweller Chopard in 2022. Aespa members have also fronted major fashion titles including the Korean editions of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Dazed, as well as publications in China, Japan and Singapore. By 2026, the group’s account had surpassed 16 million Instagram followers, while the members’ individual accounts ranged from 11 to 22 million followers. On Chinese social platform Weibo, the group amassed more than 2 million followers, with Ningning attracting more than 2.8 million on her own page.