The Korean band sat front row at the label’s latest Paris show and just scored a starring role in its SS24 series
Acne Studios and music go together like peas in a pod, with the pink-tinged Scandi label tapping talents like Giant Swan and Suzanne Ciani to soundtrack its Paris Fashion Week shows, and enlisting everyone from Yves Tumor to 90s mega babe Juliette Lewis to front its past campaigns. Even the front row is chock full of established superstars and emerging names across any given season: in recent years, Drain Gang members ECCO2K and Bladee have rubbed shoulders with Rosalia, Caroline Polachek, Willow Smith, and loads, loads more.
Now, joining the ranks of these ongoing link-ups is rising Korean band ILLIT. Getting their start on survival TV show R U Next? In 2023 – battling it out against a swathe of other contestants until they were finally whittled down to the five members the group stands at now – it’s likely you’ll be hearing a lot more from them very soon. Not only did they rack up a bunch of appearances at PFW’s AW24 shows, their debut album SUPER REAL ME, rumoured to feature a line-up of earworm tracks it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get out of your head, is due to drop on March 25.
As big fashion lovers, the group is also not as polished as we’ve come to expect of the world’s biggest K-pop girlies. Scroll through ILLIT’s Insta and Wunhee is captured posing for a selfie with a cherry dangling above her face, her look consisting of s tulle ra-ra skirt, oversized shirt, and vintage cap, while Yunah matches a baggy pair of suede and denim jeans with an old school adidas baby tee and big, nerdy NHS-style glasses. There’s something a bit grungier and less glossy about their looks than the hyper-stylised aesthetics many other Korean bands tend to stick to.
As for the SS24 Acne Studios campaign: the girls are seen slipping into slouchy, acid-washed jeans with cheeky panels that looks like chaps, distressed denim jackets so pale they look like they’ve sat in the blistering sun for 20 years, inky-blue, patched-together mini-dresses, and easy little cotton tanks and tees. Accessories come in the form of bug-like sunnies that look like they’ve been swiped off the set of a 90s sci-fi movie, and signature Multipocket and Platt bags bearing cute details like mirrors that remind you “You look beautiful” via their etched logos.
As the series gets its release, we speak exclusively with ILLIT about their first time at fashion week, fucking with their school uniforms, and their fave pieces from the Acne Studios collection.
How would you each sum up your style in one sentence?
Yunah: Depending on my mood, I like to try on something cool and quirky, but I also don't mind opting for something simple.
Minju: I enjoy pairing jeans or wide pants with cropped tops for both style and comfort.
Wonhee: It's difficult to pinpoint one, but I adore vintage styles with a warm and cosy vibe!
Who are your style icons?
Yunah: There are so many, it’s difficult to choose! Since I enjoy experimenting with various styles, Seulgi from Red Velvet stands out as a style icon for me. How she matches such a diverse range of styles with her unique flair is truly inspiring.
How did you dress in high school?
Moka: I always wore a school uniform with a sailor collar. Since I wore the same uniform every day, I tried to create my own style by adjusting the hemline of the skirt or tying bows in different styles to make it feel special.
What makes you feel most confident?
Iroha: I feel confident when wearing beautiful clothes and accessories. When my outfit is meticulously styled with gorgeous pieces of clothing and accessories, it boosts my confidence.
Any fashion regrets?
Minju: Fortunately, there’s none that I can recall. My usual outfit consists of something comfortable since I need to move around freely to dance. Now I want to explore and try on pieces that match the vibe of ILLIT.
How was your first Paris Fashion Week?! Fave moments? What did you learn?
Wonhee: Paris Fashion Week was even more fascinating than we imagined! It was our first fashion week, so everyone was nervous but very excited. We found it fascinating how diverse and stylish the looks introduced each season are. There were countless pieces I wanted to try out! At the same time, the experience made me think about the importance of finding my own style.
Tell us how you got involved with Acne Studios?
ILLIT: After our team came together and as we started preparing for our debut album, we tried to showcase styles that feel true to us, styles that reflect who we are on social media. We were so excited to hear Acne Studios wanted to chat and work with us after noticing us and our creative world. It was such an honour fo
Do you have a fave piece from the new Acne collection?
Moka: That's a tough question! I have to say the knitted dresses particularly caught my eye with their exquisite craftsmanship. The hood enhanced its bold character.
If you could swap wardrobes with anyone, who would it be?
Iroha: I want to swap wardrobes with Moka! She owns a lot of dark-coloured clothes, in navy, khaki, brown, and more. Her wardrobe features a diverse array of styles that are also just very pretty. So I have to choose Moka. In fact, I've bought the same item as her and borrowed her clothes before because I love her style so much.
If you could walk the runway for Acne, what track would you want to soundtrack it?
ILLIT: We'd have to choose “My World”, the first track from our first mini album SUPER REAL ME. It embodies the identity of ILLIT, so we want to walk the runway with confidence, showing the world who we are. Imagining ourselves on the runway, it's a perfect track that suits the occasion. We can't wait to share it with everyone.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at the new campaign.
