ELLE France x JENNIE: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes of the Stunning September Cover

ELLE France Jennie marks a historic milestone in fashion publishing as Jennie Kim becomes the first K-pop artist and second Asian talent to grace the magazine's prestigious cover for September 2023. The groundbreaking photoshoot, captured by renowned photographer Camilla Akrans, showcases the global icon in a stunning visual narrative.

Notably, this landmark ELLE France magazine feature coincides with BLACKPINK's record-breaking world tour finale, which has captivated over 1.75 million spectators across 41 cities. The exceptional cover story, brought to life through Park Minhee's styling, Lee Hyeyoung's hair artistry, and Won Joyeon's makeup expertise, celebrates Jennie's influence in both music and fashion. The group's upcoming Seoul encore performance, scheduled for September 16-17, 2023, adds another layer of significance to this remarkable achievement.

Inside ELLE France's Historic Cover Selection

ELLE France's selection of Jennie Kim for their September 2023 cover signifies a significant shift in the magazine's traditional approach. Historically, the publication primarily featured French celebrities and models on its covers, making appearances by international or Asian stars exceptionally rare.

Why ELLE France chose Jennie

The September issue holds particular significance in the fashion world as it coincides with Fashion Week and shapes upcoming year's trends. ELLE France's decision stems from the growing influence of K-pop stars in the global fashion landscape. The fashion industry recognizes the substantial impact these artists have on media engagement and consumer behavior. For instance, K-pop's market growth rate stands at an impressive 31.7% year over year.

Furthermore, K-pop stars' social media influence often surpasses that of established Western celebrities. A compelling example is how Blackpink's Jisoo generated buzz worth USD 7.00 million for Dior's show simply by attending, surpassing Kim Kardashian's USD 4.60 million impact for Dolce & Gabbana.

Breaking barriers as an Asian artist

Jennie's appearance marks a groundbreaking moment as she becomes the first Korean artist to grace ELLE France's cover. Previously, renowned actress Maggie Cheung was the only Asian artist featured, appearing in 2004. This 19-year gap between Asian cover stars underscores the magnitude of Jennie's achievement.

The selection reflects broader changes in the fashion industry's approach to cultural representation. K-pop idols have emerged as cultural bridges, introducing elements of South Korean culture to the global fashion scene while simultaneously absorbing and reimagining international trends. Their expressive style and willingness to experiment with fashion make them exciting partners for brands seeking memorable fashion moments.

Additionally, South Korea's continued economic growth at 2.1%, contrasted with slowdowns in Europe and America, has contributed to K-pop stars' increasing prominence in global fashion. Their influence extends beyond music, with fashion playing a fundamental role in defining visual identity and serving as a medium for conveying artistic vision.

The Creative Vision Behind the Shoot

Behind the lens of ELLE France's September cover stands renowned Swedish photographer Camilla Akrans, whose distinctive artistic vision brings a fresh perspective to fashion photography.

Photographer Camilla Akrans' approach

Akrans' Scandinavian roots shine through her work, characterized by pure, pared-back imagery centered on femininity and graphic lines. Her philosophy draws inspiration from Anne Brontë's words, "But he who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose". As a successful female photographer in a male-dominated industry, Akrans maintains her unique vision through flawless craftsmanship and understated elegance.

"I portray women the way that I myself would like to be perceived. I want to be seen in every aspect of my being - the beautiful as well as the thorny, and the rough. Women are a little like flowers," Akrans explains. This artistic perspective aligns perfectly with Jennie's multifaceted persona as both a global pop star and fashion icon.

Location and setting details

The shoot took place under the creative direction of Pierre-Olivier Boulzaguet as set designer. The team included an array of talented professionals: Christina Conrad handling manicure duties through Calliste agency, alongside the styling expertise of Min Hee Park, who curated exclusive Chanel pieces.

Lighting and composition choices

Akrans' signature style emerges through her masterful use of lighting and composition. Her work consistently demonstrates an exceptional ability to capture fresh, pretty moods through careful color selection. The photographs showcase her talent for creating visually striking images that maintain sophistication through clean lines and thoughtful framing.

The resulting cover story presents a harmonious blend of artistic vision and technical excellence. Through Akrans' lens, the shoot succeeds in portraying Jennie's dual nature - both as a powerful performer and a fashion ambassador - while maintaining the elevated aesthetic standards associated with ELLE France's legacy in fashion photography.

Fashion Direction and Styling Choices

The sartorial direction for ELLE France's September issue seamlessly merges Chanel's timeless elegance with contemporary K-pop aesthetics. Stylist Park Minhee orchestrates this visual symphony, drawing from her extensive experience in crafting BLACKPINK's signature looks.

Chanel's exclusive wardrobe selection

The fashion house's selection for the cover shoot reflects Jennie's long-standing relationship with the brand. Since becoming Chanel's global ambassador, she has embodied the brand's evolution through various Fashion Week appearances. The wardrobe highlights include signature tweed pieces, complemented by Chanel's fine jewelry collection. Through the years, Jennie has masterfully represented the brand at numerous high-profile events, therefore earning the nickname "Coco Jennie" during a memorable 2019 photo session.

Park Minhee's styling philosophy

Park Minhee's approach to styling transcends conventional fashion boundaries. Her methodology centers on establishing genuine connections with artists, believing that communication forms the cornerstone of successful styling. "No matter how cool your style is, if it doesn't suit you, it's useless. That's why I talk a lot with artists as a stylist. I find out their charm and what style they're pursuing, and help them express that through styling," Park explains.

The stylist's creative process involves extensive research and contemporary brand exploration. She particularly gravitates toward emerging designers, citing Blumarine, Fanci Club, and Poster Girl among her current inspirations. For this ELLE France shoot, Park engaged in detailed discussions with Jennie about fresh approaches to styling Chanel pieces, considering her role as the brand's ambassador.

Park's styling philosophy particularly shines when working with BLACKPINK members, each representing distinct luxury houses. Nevertheless, she excels at creating cohesive looks that maintain individual authenticity. "When they gather under the name of BLACKPINK, they give off another charm. I strongly believe that they're a unique group that expresses various colors," Park emphasizes.

Beauty Team's Artistic Process

The artistic vision behind Jennie's ELLE France cover emerges through meticulous beauty direction, where seasoned professionals Lee Hyeyoung and Won Joyeon craft a look that balances timeless elegance with modern aesthetics.

Hair styling by Lee Hyeyoung

Master hair stylist Lee Hyeyoung approaches each styling session with precision and creativity. Her signature technique incorporates traditional Korean beauty elements into contemporary hairstyling. Through careful consideration of facial features and overall aesthetic goals, Lee creates looks that enhance natural beauty rather than overshadowing it.

For the ELLE France shoot, Lee's expertise shines through her interpretation of current trends, including the strategic use of face-framing elements. Her work demonstrates the evolving nature of K-pop beauty standards, moving away from heavily styled looks toward more natural, yet equally impactful, presentations.

Makeup artistry by Won Joyeon

Known in Korea's beauty circles as the "Makeup Wizard," Won Joyeon brings her transformative expertise to the ELLE France shoot. Her approach combines technical precision with artistic innovation, creating looks that enhance Jennie's natural features while maintaining editorial sophistication.

Won's makeup philosophy centers on versatility and adaptability. Throughout her collaboration with Jennie, she has masterfully created various looks, from innocent and natural to seductive and mysterious. Her signature techniques include:

Emphasizing strong eyebrows and creating intense gazes
Perfecting the balance between dramatic eyes and neutral lips
Incorporating innovative solutions for unique challenges

Won's artistic process aligns with the current shift in K-pop beauty standards, emphasizing individual strengths rather than conforming to predetermined ideals. Her work consistently demonstrates how makeup can enhance rather than mask natural beauty, creating looks that resonate with modern beauty enthusiasts.

The beauty team's collaborative effort results in a fresh interpretation of high-fashion aesthetics, marking a significant departure from conventional K-pop styling approaches. Their work exemplifies the industry's movement toward more authentic, personalized beauty expressions, ultimately contributing to the cover shoot's groundbreaking impact.

FAQS

Common questions arise regarding magazine photoshoots featuring K-pop artists. Here are detailed answers to frequently asked inquiries about ELLE France's September 2023 cover story:

Q: What makes magazine features significant for K-pop artists? Magazine features serve multiple purposes beyond simple exposure. These collaborations benefit both the publication and the artist through increased media engagement. Fashion magazines specifically showcase new collections while providing artists opportunities to express their artistic vision through fashion.

Q: How does the magazine selection process work? Fashion magazines carefully select cover stars based on cultural impact, brand alignment, and market influence. The September issue holds special significance as it coincides with Fashion Week season, making cover star selection particularly strategic.

Q: What happens behind the scenes at magazine shoots? Professional photoshoots involve extensive preparation and coordination among multiple teams. Hair and makeup artists begin early morning preparations, followed by wardrobe styling and lighting setup. The process requires seamless collaboration between creative directors, photographers, and styling teams.

Q: Are magazine features purely promotional? While promotion plays a role, magazine features offer artistic value beyond marketing. They provide platforms for creative expression through fashion, photography, and visual storytelling. Additionally, these collaborations often break cultural barriers and establish new industry standards.

Q: What policies govern magazine photoshoot content? Strict quality assurance standards apply to magazine content. Publications maintain editorial guidelines ensuring consistent quality across photography, styling, and overall presentation. These standards protect both the magazine's reputation and the featured artist's image.

Q: How are wardrobe selections made for cover shoots? Styling teams collaborate closely with fashion houses, often selecting pieces from current collections. For ambassador relationships like Jennie's connection with Chanel, wardrobe choices reflect both the artist's personal style and the brand's aesthetic vision.

Q: What determines a successful magazine feature? Success metrics include media impact, sales performance, and cultural significance. Magazine features achieving high engagement while breaking industry barriers, such as Jennie's historic ELLE France cover, demonstrate particular success.