According to data analytics firm Onclusive, the balance of power at Paris Fashion Week has shifted dramatically this year, marking a noticeable decline in BLACKPINK’s dominance.
Paris Fashion Week the crown jewel of the global fashion calendar featuring luxury houses like Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy concluded its Spring/Summer 2026 season with record-breaking media engagement. The event generated over 21 million mentions, quadruple that of Milan and nearly eight times New York. The highlight came during Dior’s October 1 show, which went viral after the surprise appearance of Thai duo LingOrm (Lingling Kwong and Orm Kornnaphat), helping Dior secure a 46% share of voice across social media.
But while Dior soared, BLACKPINK’s once-unquestionable influence appears to be slipping. Jisoo, long regarded as Dior’s ultimate ambassador, ranked only 11th among the top 15 most influential figures this season, garnering 1.71% of total mentions. In comparison, LingOrm and Jimin of BTS dominated the rankings, taking first and second place respectively.
Industry observers attribute this to Jimin’s highly anticipated post-enlistment comeback, which generated overwhelming global buzz, overshadowing Jisoo. Meanwhile, LingOrm’s joint appearance ignited unprecedented hype, earning a staggering 18.1% share of mentions nearly ten times Jisoo’s numbers.
Among the BLACKPINK members, Lisa performed best, landing in third place with a 10.79% share of voice as Louis Vuitton’s ambassador — outpacing numerous Western celebrities. Still, she had to share the spotlight with Jimin, LingOrm, and Becky Armstrong, signaling a clear shift toward a more diverse global influencer landscape.
Jennie, Chanel’s longtime ambassador, held a modest 7th place with 5.16%, a respectable figure but below expectations for her global stature. Meanwhile, Rosé, a consistent top performer in past seasons, disappeared entirely from the social media top 15. However, she surprised many by ranking second on traditional media coverage charts, just behind Meghan Markle — a rare feat in a category usually dominated by Western icons like royals and Hollywood A-listers.
Despite BLACKPINK’s declining dominance, K-pop remains fashion’s most powerful promotional force. Combined, BLACKPINK and BTS still account for over 40% of total global discussions surrounding Paris Fashion Week — an unmatched feat outside Asia.
However, 2025 officially marks the beginning of a multi-polar era in fashion, where Korean, Thai, and Western celebrities now share influence more evenly. Notably, four out of the top ten most trending hashtags were driven by Thai stars: #LingOrm, #BeckysAngels, #FreenSarocha, and #OrmKornnaphat.
Experts attribute this surge to three key factors:
- Highly organized Thai fanbases, capable of coordinating international trending campaigns in real time.
- The rise of the Girls’ Love (GL) genre, with hit series like Gap The Series, 23.5, and FreenBecky Universe propelling Thai actresses to pan-Asian fame.
- Strategic marketing shifts by luxury brands, particularly Dior, Chanel, and Loewe, which are now turning to Southeast Asia especially Thailand as their next major luxury hub after South Korea.
In short, while BLACKPINK remains a global icon, Paris Fashion Week SS26 has proven that the fashion world’s center of gravity is no longer theirs alone.
Sources: kenh14
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