Chinese designer claims design worn by Blackpink’s Lisa resembles her creation

According to the South China Morning Post, the accusation focuses on a star-shaped leather top worn by Lisa in the music video for "Rockstar," which allegedly resembles a design Yang created in 2020.

Lisa, a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, in the star-shaped leather top mentioned by Chinese designer Yang Yue. Photo from Lisa's Instagram

Yang claims to have developed her design while pursuing a master’s degree at the University of the Arts London, noting that her creation was inspired by the first heavy metal band from Beijing Tang Dynasty. She asserts that the star motif in her design symbolizes Beijing and embodies the spirit of rock music.

To substantiate her claim, Yang posted photos documenting the design process, which include various iterations of the top in colors such as red, green, black, and blue, each featuring hand-painted patterns.

Expressing her frustration on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, Yang stated: "Not only did they copy it, but the cut is also awful."

"It’s exhausting," she further commented. "Stylist, please stop embarrassing yourself."

Yang also mentioned that she has been trying to copyright her designs but has faced challenges, including high costs and lengthy processes, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. She noted that she had reached out to Lisa’s stylist for clarification but had not received a response.

This allegation has since gone viral, garnering over 130 million views on Weibo and sparking a heated debate among fans and observers, with some defending Lisa and criticizing Yang for only pursuing high-profile cases. Others expressed dissatisfaction with Lisa’s new management, since this controversy arises after the artist parted ways with Blackpink’s management agency YG Entertainment and founded her own agency, LLOUD, to manage her solo activities.

Lisa, a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink. Photo from Lisa's Instagram

Born Pranpriya Manoban in Thailand, Lisa, 27, joined Blackpink in 2016 and launched her solo career in 2021 with the album "Lalisa." Her track "Money" has made her the first K-pop artist to achieve over 1 billion streams on Spotify.

The singer has also made a name for herself in the fashion world, serving as a global ambassador for luxury brands such as Celine and Bulgari. She boasts over 103 million followers on Instagram.