British magazine ELLE UK has taken belated steps to address a recent racism controversy involving BLACKPINK star Rosé.
On October 2, ELLE UK posted a solo photo of Rosé on their social media account, captioned, “The most standout look came courtesy of Blackpink star Rosé.”
Rosé herself shared photos from the fashion show on her social media, expressing gratitude to Saint Laurent’s creative director, Anthony Vaccarello: “Thank you for inviting me to the amazing show. Your work is truly beautiful. Love it.”
Despite these posts, global fans remain outraged. Many commented on ELLE UK’s post, saying, “Too little, too late” and “At least issue an apology.” Some explicitly called out the incident as “racism.”
The controversy also extended beyond ELLE UK, involving British singer-songwriter Charli XCX and model Hailey Bieber. On October 1, Hailey shared a post from Charli XCX on her Instagram story, in which Rosé appeared noticeably darkened in the image.
Rosé attended the 'Saint Laurent 2026 S/S Women’s Collection show' in Paris on September 30 as a global ambassador for the luxury brand, sitting in the front row. She posed alongside Charli XCX, Hailey Bieber, and Hollywood actor Zoë Kravitz. However, ELLE UK’s social media post cropped Rosé out, featuring only the other three.
The omission sparked backlash from fans in Korea, across Asia, and worldwide. Commenters criticized the post in multiple languages, calling it a “racist act.” Charli XCX also faced criticism after a video released by Vogue Japan showed her turning her back on Rosé while talking to two others, and a photo on her own social media darkened only Rosé’s image.
The incident has reignited discussions about representation and racial bias in global media and fashion, with fans demanding accountability from brands, publications, and influencers alike.
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