Androgynous aesthetics in K-pop range from gender non-conforming idols to the use of soft, silken makeup juxtaposed with sharp, well-fitted suits and leather jackets. Male idols sporting nail polish and crop tops, and female idols trading stilettos for rugged boots, further blur traditional lines. Corsets over shirts and lace under blazers have defined some of K-pop’s most memorable looks, blending theatrical flair with everyday subversion.

ATEEZ’s Seonghwa effortlessly embodies this fusion of edge, elegance, and skilled androgyny. His latest ambassadorship with French label Isabel Marant showcases his ability to merge bold styling with refined elegance.

When Seonghwa made his runway debut for Isabel Marant’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection at Paris Fashion Week this March, he didn’t just turn heads; he captivated the entire room. His presence brought renewed attention to a compelling fusion: Isabel Marant’s signature Parisian boho-chic aesthetic reimagined through the lens of K-pop superstardom. It was a quiet yet powerful statement, one that defied gender norms, embraced inclusivity, and signalled a shift in how we perceive both fashion and masculinity. 

Adorning a chic black fringe cut, Seonghwa wore an oversized black coat layered over black, white, and grey shirts. A sleek, minimal neckpiece, two-toned black-and-white shoes, and a playful pocket square added just the right amount of disruption to the look’s muted palette - subtle yet striking, much like ATEEZ’s approach to music. As with their artistry, Seonghwa’s appearance on the runway was a challenge to the status quo, an assertion of individuality, innovation, and bold self-expression.

The truth is, South Korea has long been a pioneer of gender-fluid fashion in a world where gender roles are not just defined, they’re dictated and imposed. Long before Western artists like Harry Styles embraced skirts, nail polish, and statement jewellery, K-pop was already celebrating androgyny with confidence and flair. Through bold ambassadorships, high-fashion campaigns, and visually defining music videos, the industry has consistently challenged traditional norms and embraced fashion as a form of self-expression, loud, proud, and unapologetically inclusive.

Hyunjin and Felix of Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan, and EXO’s Kai have all seamlessly incorporated androgynous fashion, effortlessly embodying the aesthetic. Yet, there’s something particularly refined about Seonghwa’s approach. With his sculpted cheekbones, sharp nose, and tall, slender frame, he carries a modelesque presence that feels intentional and quietly powerful. 

That one-eighth of ATEEZ — and one of Gen 4’s most boundary-pushing idols — is now fronting a Parisian fashion house known for its understated minimalism points to a growing appetite for quiet reinvention, not just louder visibility. Isabel Marant didn’t choose Seonghwa simply for his fame, but because he represents a new kind of standout presence: one that cuts through today’s consumer-fatigued landscape with subtlety, elegance, and intention. 

In an industry driven by spectacle, Seonghwa’s understated runway presence is a reminder that quiet confidence can be just as powerful, and that androgyny, when rooted in authenticity, doesn’t need to shout to make a statement.