On the night of the Met Gala, many viewers across the internet were left confused and questioning, “Is that civil rights icon Rosa Parks depicted on Lisa's outfit?” The answer, as clarified by the artist behind the design, is a definitive no. Henry Taylor, the artist who collaborated with Pharrell Williams on the ensemble worn by Blackpink member Lisa and White Lotus star, confirmed that the figure adorning Lisa’s Louis Vuitton attire is not Rosa Parks but rather one of Taylor’s personal acquaintances.
A representative for Henry Taylor provided a clear statement to Vulture, explaining, “The figure featured in Lisa’s Louis Vuitton look is not Rosa Parks, but one of Henry’s neighbors. The faces seen on this look, as well as on previous LV garments featuring Taylor’s artwork, are all drawn from his personal life – family members, friends, and neighbors.” This assertion emphasizes that the individuals depicted are not iconic figures from Black cultural history but rather those from Taylor's own life experiences.
Major publications like The New York Times and Hyperallergic have previously reported that the faces on Lisa's lacy bodysuit and blazer come from Taylor's circle. However, this clarification does little to quell the criticism aimed at Lisa's outfit, as many on social media continue to scrutinize her choices.
This year's Met Gala theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which celebrated Black dandyism. In a behind-the-scenes fitting video shared by Vogue, Pharrell emphasized to Lisa that her outfit was meant to “highlight the taste level and the taste buds of Black people.” Despite this intention, Lisa's appearance at the event was met with skepticism, particularly due to her past controversies surrounding cultural appropriation and racial sensitivity.
Critics have resurfaced discussions regarding Lisa's past use of the N-word, with viral tweets linking her outfit to these allegations. Videos circulating online have purportedly shown Lisa and her fellow Blackpink members using the racial slur multiple times while covering songs before their 2016 debut. Although none of the band members have addressed these controversies publicly, the impact on Lisa’s image remains significant.
In addition to the recent allegations, Lisa faced backlash in 2017 for misusing AAVE (African American Vernacular English) in one of her raps, saying “You gon’ finna catch me.” Furthermore, in 2021, she issued an apology to a fan who pointed out concerns over her box-braids hairstyle in a music video. This history of cultural missteps has fueled the debate about her appropriateness in wearing an ensemble that some interpreted as showcasing a Black activist’s likeness.
Ultimately, the reaction to Lisa’s outfit at the Met Gala illustrates the ongoing complexities surrounding cultural representation and the scrutiny faced by public figures in the realm of fashion and identity. While the artist's intentions may have been to celebrate personal connections through art, the conversation surrounding Lisa’s ensemble underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in an increasingly interconnected world.
