G-DRAGON has been named the only Asian artist on Complex’s “Best Dressed of the 21st Century,” underscoring his enduring fashion dominance.
On Nov. 12 (local time), the fashion and culture outlet ranked the K-pop star at No. 16 on its century-spanning list, placing him alongside style powerhouses like Kanye West, Rihanna, Pharrell, and David Beckham ― proof that his influence resonates far beyond K-pop on the global stage.
“Before K-pop became a global phenomenon, he was already setting the standard for fashion ― always a step ahead,” Complex wrote. “Nearly 20 years after his debut, G-DRAGON is still redefining what ‘style’ means in K-pop, breaking boundaries, and inspiring a generation to see fashion as a form of self-expression.”
From the jump, G-DRAGON blurred the lines between high fashion and streetwear ― think Alexander McQueen’s skull scarf era, Comme des Garcons, and Nike’s Air More Uptempo ― securing instant style-icon status. In 2016, he became Chanel’s first Asian male global ambassador, a partnership he continues today. His collaborations with Nike and Jacob & Co. routinely ignite worldwide trends, underscoring his singular brand power.
Over the last two decades, he’s helped rewrite the fashion playbook. His airport looks turned arrivals into a social media event and helped push gender-fluid styling into the mainstream for male artists. The PEACEMINUSONE × Nike linkups did more than drop sneakers ― they shifted consumer culture and helped open the floodgates for luxury brands to collaborate with K-pop artists.
Complex’s nod is a fresh, global acknowledgment of the cultural footprint he’s built over 20 years ― and a sign that his fashion clout will only keep growing.
Meanwhile, G-DRAGON is gearing up for the Seoul encore of his G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch], after successfully wrapping 36 shows across 16 cities worldwide. As one of K-pop’s definitive style icons, his homecoming finale is already a hot ticket for fans in Korea and beyond.
Photos: Baik Seung-Chul, ELLE
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)