From the enigmatic allure of "The White Lotus" to the scorching storm of controversy, K-pop superstar and Season 3 cast sensation Lisa made her highly anticipated Met Gala debut on Monday evening, only to find herself at the epicenter of a tempestuous uproar. The 28-year-old Blackpink member graced the red carpet in a bespoke Louis Vuitton ensemble that seemed to pay homage to the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme, celebrating the elegance of black dandyism.
Lisa's ensemble was a daring masterpiece, featuring an intricately embroidered black blazer, logo-adorned tights, and a lace bodysuit that left little room for imagination, particularly in the lower regions. However, the buzz wasn't solely centered around her bold pantsless trend adoption. Upon closer inspection, the graphic lace pattern on her underwear revealed faces, one of which bore an uncanny resemblance to the late civil rights legend, Rosa Parks.
The furore wasn't confined to her boundary-pushing fashion choice. Online, accusations flew thick and fast. One X user exclaimed, "Rosa Parks on your underwear, less than three months after a compilation of you using the N-word went viral? That's absolutely insane, or maybe it's just me!" Another added, "Who in their right mind deemed it appropriate to plaster the faces of influential black women onto a pair of panties?"
The graphic motif, a collage of faces printed throughout her attire, was most pronounced below the waist, igniting an immediate wave of indignation across social media. A horrified fan wondered aloud, "I was scared when I saw Rosa Parks trending… I couldn't fathom Lisa having Rosa Parks plastered all over her underwear! WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA????? Not only is it immensely tasteless, but how does it align with the theme?"
Compounding the scandal was the timing – mere weeks after resurfaced audition clips showed Lisa and fellow Blackpink members Jennie and Rosé allegedly using a racial slur onstage. The idols' lack of public acknowledgment or apology for the incident fueled even greater outrage over perceived disrespect. A critic on X fumed, "Despite repeating the N-word multiple times and never apologizing, Lisa brazenly wears underwear adorned with images of Rosa Parks, a civil rights icon who valiantly fought against racial injustice."
One user didn't pull any punches, branding the outfit the "undisputed worst look of the night." While Lisa has yet to respond to the wave of backlash, the viral phrase "Rosa Parks underwear" had already taken the internet by storm by the time the gala's final champagne toast was clinked.
According to The Cut, a Louis Vuitton representative confirmed that the controversial design was crafted by American artist Henry Taylor, personally selected by Pharrell Williams for his spring 2024 collection. They explained that the print features "portraits of figures who have been a part of the artist's life." However, the question remains: were any of those figures actually Rosa Parks? The outlet sought clarification from the brand, but no names have been officially confirmed as of yet.
