Elle UK has come under fire after the British magazine posted a photo that cropped out singer Rose of K-pop girl group Blackpink from a group photo on its Instagram.
The original image, taken on Sept 29 at the Saint Laurent Women’s Summer 2026 runway show during Paris Fashion Week in France, featured front-row celebrity attendees like Rose, British singer Charli XCX, American model Hailey Bieber and American actress Zoe Kravitz.
However, in Elle UK’s post on Sept 30, Rose was missing, even as Elle USA and other major fashion publications, such as W Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar, shared the full image.
The comment section of Elle UK’s Instagram account was quickly filled with accusations of racism. Netizens also questioned the magazine’s intent for cropping Rose out, especially when the 28-year-old K-pop idol has been French fashion house Saint Laurent’s global ambassador since 2020.
The photo controversy deepened when Charli XCX also posted on Instagram on Sept 30 a similar picture where Rose is barely visible, obscured in a shadow.
Following the backlash, Elle UK uploaded individual photos of Rose on Oct 1 on its account, praising the New Zealander-South Korean singer for having the most standout “underwear as outerwear” look of the fashion show.
In early September, Rose and American singer-musician Bruno Mars won Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards for her breakout solo single Apt., making her the first South Korean artiste to win in that category.
This achievement marked a historic moment for K-pop, surpassing even boy band BTS, who have never scored that accolade despite their global success. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
CelebritiesFashion showsK-pop