Gucci has named South Korean singer and songwriter Kim Seok-jin, well-known as Jin, from the supergroup BTS, as its new International Model Ambassador.
Gucci’s New Period: Jin Ushers in a Fashionable Aesthetic
Sabato De Sarno, Gucci’s Artistic Director, shared, “I’m very excited to welcome Jin as International Model Ambassador. His heat and sort character is actually magnetic, and his type is solely distinctive. He’s a beneficiant and extraordinary artist who can transfer folks along with his music, which makes us much more honoured to share this journey with him.”
Gucci, through its official KakaoTalk, shared De Sarno’s anticipation for future collaborations that may “fascinate and encourage followers all over the world.” This anticipation units the stage for a brand new period of creativity and innovation at Gucci.
Jin himself expressed his heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the proficient designer and the storied Italian Home. “Gucci is an iconic model with a long-standing heritage and modernity. It’s significant and thrilling to be part of such a home,” the artist mentioned in an announcement.
As a Gucci International Model Ambassador, Jin will take part in varied initiatives and occasions to advertise and share the home’s progressive spirit.
Jin’s Magic Contact: Star Energy & International Affect
Jin, the eldest member of BTS, can be the primary member to finish his necessary navy service in June. Early final month, Jin made waves because the inaugural International Model Ambassador for French high-jewellery home FRED. The 31-year-old additional solidified his star energy by serving as an Olympic torchbearer for South Korea on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Jin has a observe file of profitable collaborations. His partnership with meals model Ottogi’s Jin Ramen noodle franchise has led to a big rise in gross sales. Following Jin’s collaboration with the meals manufacturing big, Ottogi Ramen’s exports witnessed a big rise of their gross sales. The ramen exports reached US$208 million, the best ever recorded within the first quarter of the model’s historical past. The gross sales within the first quarter of 2023 have been reported to be ₩ 856,784 billion, a rise of 15.4% from the identical interval since final 12 months.
Gucci Struggles in Crowded Luxurious Market
Gucci, the Italian luxurious style home that’s a part of the Kering group, has encountered challenges in sustaining its market share. Kering disclosed a 6% lower in fourth-quarter 2023 revenues, accompanied by declines in gross sales throughout its outstanding manufacturers, resembling Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. In the meantime, Gucci skilled a 4% quarter-on-quarter gross sales lower.
In 2023, Kering carried out a restructuring of Gucci’s senior management as a element of its broader overhaul technique. This initiative noticed the appointment of Jean-François Palus as CEO and Sabato De Sarno as its Artistic Director.
The appointment of Sabato De Sarno as its Artistic Director was praised throughout the style trade. Nevertheless, after a 12 months within the position, it stays unclear whether or not his imaginative and prescient will considerably affect the model’s gross sales.
Gucci, as soon as a style powerhouse below the maximalist lens of Alessandro Michele, is now present process a metamorphosis. The model is shifting its focus, embracing a refined, extra trendy aesthetic because it seeks to redefine its luxurious id.
Can Jin’s Star Energy Revitalise Gucci’s Gross sales Amidst Fierce Competitors?
The appointment of Jin, a member of the globally famend Ok-pop group BTS, as Gucci’s International Model Ambassador carries important implications for the posh style home.
In an interview with Vogue Korea, De Sarno expressed his need for folks to “fall in love with Gucci once more.” There are additionally expectations that Jin will assist fulfil his want, as Gucci, below De Sarno’s path, is presenting a extra mature and distinctly Italian assortment.
Amidst a fiercely aggressive luxurious market saturated with established and rising manufacturers, Gucci faces the vital problem of revitalising its picture to resonate with modern customers. Even China, probably the most outstanding luxurious market in APAC, is experiencing weakening, which is damaging luxurious manufacturers’ earnings. Kering, expects potential revenue to plunge by as much as 45% within the first half of the 12 months, primarily as a consequence of slumping Gucci gross sales in China.
Due to this fact, this collaboration will assist Gucci achieve entry to BTS’s huge and devoted world fanbase, significantly in APAC, which can additional enhance Gucci’s gross sales and model status in that area.
Moreover, this strategic partnership will assist Gucci to enchantment to a youthful demographic, probably elevating the model’s picture and attracting new clients. Jin’s affiliation with Gucci will generate important media consideration, boosting the model’s visibility and status.
The Energy of Hallyu
As a part of its growth in Asia, the model has been strengthening its ties with South Korea and is ready to debut its newest cultural product, the “Gucci Cultural Month” initiative, on October 15 in Seoul. The undertaking goals to pay tribute to the heritage of Korean tradition by spotlighting the work of personalities who’ve elevated native arts to a worldwide scale by varied mediums.
4 world-renowned skills shall be concerned within the undertaking, together with conceptual artist Kimsooja, filmmaker Chan Wook Park, modern dancer Eun Me Ahn and pianist Seong Jin Cho. The occasion will rejoice their contributions by pictures, movies, exhibitions, particular performances and cultural lectures.
Jin’s involvement is anticipated to attract important consideration, permitting Gucci to leverage Ok-pop’s world affect to succeed in a wider viewers. Furthermore, this occasion additionally seeks to “encourage a brand new era of creatives, reinforcing the notion that style and artwork interconnect profoundly in at this time’s dynamic cultural panorama,” in line with Certain Journal Korea.
Bridging Cultures: The Transformative Potential of Jin and Gucci’s Collaboration
The partnership between Gucci and Jin presents a novel alternative to revitalise the model’s picture and increase its world attain. As a worldwide celebrity, Jin can considerably enhance gross sales and improve model consciousness. This collaboration has the potential to be transformative for each events, redefining the boundaries between style and leisure. Moreover, it serves as a cultural bridge, mixing Gucci’s Italian heritage with Ok-pop’s worldwide enchantment.
From Idol to Icon
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has received a number of “High Social Artist” awards on the Billboard Music Awards and made historical past as the primary Korean artist to prime the Billboard Scorching 100 chart in 2018 with “Dynamite,” considerably boosting the worldwide recognition of Ok-pop.
In keeping with Circle Chart, they’re the bestselling group in South Korea, with over 40 million albums offered worldwide. By 2023, BTS had charted six number-one Billboard 200 albums, together with “Love Your self: Tear,” “Love Your self: Reply,” “Map of the Soul: Persona,” “Map of the Soul: 7,” “BE,” and “Proof.” The group is predicted to reunite in June 2025 after finishing their navy service.
Jin has co-written and launched three solo tracks with BTS: “Awake” in 2016, “Epiphany” in 2018, and “Moon” in 2020, all of which have charted on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart. In October 2022, he launched his debut solo single, “The Astronaut.”
Korean media reported that in HYBE’s press convention, the corporate said that Jin would launch his album within the second half of 2024, the date of which stays undisclosed.
