British fashion magazine Elle UK has issued an official apology after facing widespread backlash for excluding BLACKPINK’s Rosé from a group photo taken during Paris Fashion Week, a move many fans and observers labeled as racially insensitive.
On October 2 (local time), Elle UK released a statement on social media, clarifying that Rosé was cropped from the original image “due to photo sizing” and insisting that the omission carried no discriminatory intent. “We sincerely apologize for a recent post from Paris Fashion Week in which Rosé of BLACKPINK was cropped out of a group photo for size. We did not mean to offend anyone,” the magazine wrote, adding that the controversial post has since been deleted.
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| Photo Credit - Elle UK Instagram Story |
The controversy began when Elle UK shared photos from the Saint Laurent 2026 Spring/Summer Womenswear show, featuring high-profile attendees such as Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, and Charli XCX. Rosé, who stood alongside them, was noticeably absent from the group photo posted by the magazine, despite her status as Saint Laurent’s global ambassador. Fans quickly accused the outlet of singling her out and fueling racial bias.
The debate deepened when Charli XCX also posted an image from the event that left Rosé shadowed and obscured, further fueling outrage online. Both instances sparked criticism across global fan communities, many of whom viewed the repeated exclusions as part of a broader issue of Asian representation in Western media.
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| Photo Credit - Charli XCX Instagram Story |
Rosé herself has not publicly commented on the matter. The singer, however, continues to shine on the global stage—her recent collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.,” dominated international music charts and secured her the prestigious “Song of the Year” award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
Although Elle UK later attempted to remedy the situation by sharing a solo photo of Rosé, the backlash underscored the sensitivity surrounding inclusivity and representation in fashion media. The apology, while welcomed by some, has left others questioning whether the incident reflects deeper structural biases within the industry.
As one of K-pop’s most prominent figures and a key ambassador for Saint Laurent, Rosé’s absence from the initial post struck a particularly painful note for fans. For many, the moment serves as a reminder of the importance of fair and respectful representation—both on the runway and beyo