Style Star: EXO's Kai, From Idol To Global Fashion Icon

He is the muse and the artist at the same time.

Since Kai made his debut with EXO back in 2012, he has been one of the idols whose unending fame is backed up by his sheer talent, consistency, tenacity, and an unrelenting passion for his craft. While no doubt at first asks, many might point out his alluring good looks or his sensual dance moves as a trait that attracted them to him, as time goes on, many tend to find out that he is much more than the visual prince of K-Pop or the best performer across all generations.

He is a true artist, one who continuously seeks to learn and grow, one who desires to impact value into his culture, who strives to express himself with his art, who has a fiery desire to always deliver quality and notable works that would elicit a powerful response from his audience, a response that borders from a sense of understanding and appreciation.

Kai's growth has been unmistakable and duly commendable. While we can aptly say that there are many who give the kind of fame and popularity that Kai has garnered throughout the years, would rather relax and stick to the norm and do what is expected without a need to change, Kai is quite different as there is a hunger in him that pushes him to be better, regardless of the unending praises, recognition, awards, deals, and other kinds of rewards affixed to a star of his standard, he always pushes for more, not for the superficial benefits it would seem, but for him, Kai or Kim JongIn.

Testing his limits, pushing himself, scolding himself when he feels he didn't do well, and complimenting himself for trying so hard and doing his best. Kai might be a brand name today that many respect and admire but what really serves as the essence of Kai is his passion for growth and doing his utmost best regardless of the platform, be it music, performances, film, or fashion.

With respect to fashion, just like the music Industry, Kai has no doubt left an invaluable impact in this field. Like many music stars and celebrities in general, once they start getting a molecule of fame, it is almost certain that they become the prime candidates for photoshoots and adverts by various brands seeking to reach a wider audience with their help. With EXO finding a meteoric rise in popularity with their legendary track 'Growl' it is no surprise that many brands and magazines came calling, especially when you factor in their dreamy good looks and charismatic charms that already had thousands of screaming fans swooning over them.

The group became a regular face on the covers of both home-based and international ad campaigns and magazines. By 2014, they would further take a step into the world of fashion by performing and walking on the runway at the Seoul Fashion Week. An event Kai noted he had been so nervous for as he had to learn how to walk like a model and still feared he would make a mistake. He clearly did a good job though. Check out the video of the performance here.

Kai officially started his modeling career in 2016 and that year, he graced the covers of fashion magazines like DAZED, ARENA, GQ, and NYLON. By 2017, Kai had already been in countless adverts and campaigns for high-end fashion brands like Burberry, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren. And he had also been a steady face on the covers and spreads of several global magazines. Some of these also include more notable brands like ELLE, L'OFFICIEL Hommes, Lined, and Allure.

Notably, in 2017, Kai was on the cover of The Big Issue, a magazine known for providing aid and resources to the homeless. Within the first two days of its release, it had sold over 20 thousand copies and by 2010, it was recorded to have sold over 80 thousand copies.

Magazines are not the only medium Kai uses to showcase his love for fashion and his various collaborations with different top brands the industry has to offer.

Another medium he uses to express his style is through films and in 2018, he had the opportunity to work with the top clothing brand Levi's in a collaboration film. One of their most successful collaborations, it stars a bright and cheerful Kai who seems to be showcasing the high points of his city and delivering his signature sharp dance moves while dressed in different Levi's pieces that somehow match the aesthetics of every setting he appears in.

Style Star: EXO's Kai, From Idol To Global Fashion Icon

Kai's official Instagram

That same year, Kai earned his nickname "Human Gucci" because of his expressive love for the brand and constantly being a viral sensation every time he so much as appeared in public while wearing the brand or attending her fashion shows and events.

Kai's official Instagram

One of the more notable appearances was at the "Gucci Resort Show 2019" in France where he had his first major front-row seat while draped in a piece from the luxury brand's 2018 collection.

Another noteworthy appearance was yet again in France, this time at Gucci's show during the Paris Fashion Week. His name filled the streets as fans and photographers fought tirelessly to get a glimpse of him. The Gucci shows always record a lot of celebrity guests in attendance but with every appearance he makes, Kai is always the center focus and his name has become the term used to describe celebrities.

Still, on his love and interest in Gucci, check out this beautiful art campaign with VOGUE Korea. It is simply gorgeous and divine.

At this point, it is quite evident that Kai's interest in fashion was blossoming and he is going from just being on the covers of various magazines or ad campaigns, to having front-row seats at luxury brand shows. In 2019, he would take it a step further when he was announced as Gucci's first Korean global ambassador.

An achievement that received tons of appreciation from global fans, who found this moment a full circle one as knew and understood his love for the brand, and with his refreshing insights and ever-growing popularity, he would no doubt contribute to the success of the brand and continue to make a visible impact in the fashion world.

Gucci

Also in 2019, he continued his steady influence in the fashion industry by having pictorials in several magazines and starring in various ads and campaigns, including the Gucci Eyewear Campaign, where he made yet another achievement with the luxury brand by being the first Korean idol to star in a major global advert with the brand.

In 2020, he also recorded another impressive feat by being on the cover of ELLE Magazine in 3 different countries, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. His star power was clearly evident as within 24 hours of its pre-order launch, ELLE Indonesia announced that they had sold out of the magazine.

ELLE

First time ever we opened a #PreOrder process to purchase the magazine, thus it has sold out in less than 24 hours.

In that event, we have closed our online Pre-Order for #ELLE Indonesia May 2020 issue. Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm! 🙏🏻❤ pic.twitter.com/763dzVgnIu

— ELLE Indonesia (@elleindonesia) April 16, 2020

That same year, he earned yet another global recognition by being one of the top 50 best-dressed men in 2020, a list curated by prominent fashion magazine GQ.

We would note that at this point in his career, Kai is not just known globally as an enigmatic performer but also as a style star. With Kai, dance and clothes are an art form, a tool he wields with much diligence and power, a tool he uses as a means to communicate his thoughts and express his feelings at various moments. Check out this beautiful collaboration with W Korea that speaks to our point.

There are countless achievements and notable recognition that Kai has earned since he made his debut, too many to mention in just this one article alone but by 2021, perhaps the most noteworthy one he has had till date, and an achievement that many stars no doubt would also find inspiring and motivating was the release of his first Gucci Capsule collection.

Esquire

Kai's official Instagram

With the bear motif, fans could readily associate the collection with Kai as one of his nicknames is "Bear". In an interview with Esquire magazine he revealed:

My fans gave me the nickname because I move slowly, like a bear. At first, I thought, ‘I’m not a bear.’ But then, I started using more bear-character things. I got more gifts with bear pictures on them. That’s how I came to like bears, too! It became something that symbolizes me—a connection between me and my fans…And it just so happens that I do have a lot of things in common with bears.
Kai

This collection was noticeably different from what we would expect from a luxury brand but that was Kai's intention as he sought to create an effortless and easy-to-wear look that everyone would appreciate. In the same interview, he said:

“The Kai Capsule Collection is a collection that embodies my favorite animal, a bear. Gucci is a luxury brand and it doesn’t give off the feeling that it’s something you wear typically in your everyday life. But with the cute bear, it seems much more casual. I think you can express your style more adorably because there are bears everywhere. People from varying age ranges can wear it in their everyday lives too.”
Kai

The collection was a massive success as it sold out within days in various countries of its release including South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, and Singapore. Its pop-up stores across various locales in the countries of its release also recorded a long queue of people, fans and fashion lovers alike, who having been captured by the adorable bear and the stylish pieces, eagerly waited in line for hours to purchase theirs as well.

11:19am - Gucci X Kai ION Orchard SG

Many people are still queueing, not sure what is left instock but all accessories and if I'm not wrong small bags are sold out 😭 Not sure about the bucket hat but the Blue Sweater is sold out as well#KAIxGucci #KAIxGucciCollection pic.twitter.com/J8cQ9U0ES2

— 🍞 SGGO (@chanbaekalert) April 17, 2021

This incredible feat continued to prove that Kai's global power and influence is unending and with his keen interest in the industry and his love for the brand, he served as the right medium that further connects a luxury brand with the public. Check out his full interview with Esquire below.

The "KAIxGUCCI Capsule Collection" was not the only first he recorded in 2021 as later that year, he would be unveiled as the first Asian muse for the beauty brand BOBBI BROWN. He excitedly noted that this achievement was like a dream and thanks to the brand's philosophy of emphasizing natural beauty, this partnership was the right fit for him and he excitedly looks forward to showing a new side of himself through this.

BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS

In 2021, Kai would continue his glittering strides in the fashion industry as he became the global ambassador for the Spring/Summer 2022 season of Seoul Fashion Week.

BOBBI BROWN was clearly not the only brand to be inspired by Kai's beauty as by 2022 luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) would name him as their beauty muse as well.

Marie Claire

Yves Saint Laurent

With a plethora of achievements and impressive inputs and successes in the fashion industry, we can aptly say that Kai has left his stamp in the global fashion industry, as his name doesn't just ring bells as the exhilarating performer who thrills fans with his one-of-a-kind stages or the singer with a soulful voice but also as an all-around artist who continues to influence great change with his artistic views and ideas.

With plenty more contributions and successes to be claimed in the future, we can continue to expect great things from Kai in fashion. Possibly more collaborations, a 2nd capsule collection, or even a range of Kai-inspired designs.

To end this article, check out some of our favorite magazine shoots and ad campaigns by the renowned style star.