“Activist’s Face on Underwear?”—BLACKPINK’s Lisa Faces Backlash Over Met Gala Look

BLACKPINK’s Lisa turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala, but not for the reasons she may have hoped. Her daring red carpet outfit sparked controversy for featuring what appeared to be the face of a prominent civil rights activist printed on the lower half of her outfit.

The event, held on May 6 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, followed the theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Lisa, a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, arrived discreetly from her hotel in a long coat, avoiding early press exposure—James Bond-style.

When she stepped onto the red carpet, her look was anything but quiet. The outfit, a custom bodysuit designed by Pharrell Williams, who now serves as Louis Vuitton’s creative director, featured bold, intricate detailing. However, it was the print on the underwear area that drew heavy criticism.

According to the Daily Mail, Lisa’s bodysuit displayed a portrait that strongly resembled Rosa Parks, the late American civil rights icon who ignited the U.S. civil rights movement in the 1950s by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. Many critics deemed it disrespectful to place such an image in that location.

In response, Louis Vuitton told entertainment outlet The Cut that the design was based on the work of artist Henry Taylor, known for painting portraits of people he encountered in his life. “Taylor’s art includes both famous and unknown faces,” the brand explained, without confirming whether the figure in question was Rosa Parks.

Lisa’s Vogue Fitting with Pharrell Williams

Vogue captured the behind-the-scenes of Lisa’s first-ever Met Gala prep, where she described how black makes her feel “powerful.” Styled by Pharrell Williams and dressed in a custom Louis Vuitton bodysuit embroidered with Henry Taylor’s art, Lisa viewed the ensemble as both a statement and a tribute.

The final fitting video offered rare access to the K-pop icon’s preparation, showcasing her emotional response to attending fashion’s biggest night.

“It’s a dream,” she said, reflecting the significance of her Met Gala debut as a K-pop fashion icon on the world stage.

Meanwhile, the Met Gala, which began in 1948 as a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute, remains fashion’s most influential event. This year’s guest list saw a significant K-pop presence, including Lisa, Rosé, Jennie, and SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups, underscoring the genre’s growing global dominance.

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