Even the Olympics need a diva moment now and then—and during the Pyeongchang closing ceremony, CL provided exactly that. Stepping onstage to deliver a commanding performance, the star proved herself K-pop’s baddest female in a glossy black outfit comprised of custom pieces from some of Korea’s biggest labels. There was a sleek trench from Juun.J covered in punk patches, Gentle Monster sunglasses, and a glossy corset (worn with Dead Lotus Couture latex leggings for added sex appeal). Getting down with hits like “Baddest Female” and her former girl group 2NE1’s anthem “I’m the Best,” she was in top fashion form. But her dramatic wardrobe also had a hidden meaning. Nodding to a diverse range of influences, from military uniforms to traditional Korean hanbok dress, the look represented an artist at a crossroads. “It's obviously a huge moment in her career, but she's going through a transformation trying to find the balance of who she is in the Korean pop world, and on the American pop scene as well,” shared her longtime stylist Matthew Mazur. “There are some elements from who she was and still is, but we also wanted to showcase something new, represent her mood now and [her] current obsessions.”
.gif)
Finding the right balance meant maintaining old favorites—think streetwear-influenced style and ornate Lynn Ban jewelry—while embracing a fresh new silhouette. Focusing on celebrating Korean talent, the majority of the clothing came from local designers (though a one-of-a-kind pair of Giuseppe Zanotti boots completed the ensemble). Pulling together the total look from New York while CL was hard at work doing rehearsals in Korea presented a challenge for Mazur, especially due to last minute technical changes. “We had the outfit ready, everything was good to go, and then we found out that the color of the stage had changed. Suddenly we had to start from scratch," said Mazur, who had to rethink the outfit completely and re-connect with designers to see if something new could be created on time. “With all the curveballs that have been thrown at us, everyone has been super.”
Keeping the vibe experimental by paying homage to the fashion ingenuity of the punk scene, the look was also infused with rebellious details including art from painter, B. Thom Stevenson. “[B. Thom] is really influenced by street culture, and so is [CL], so he created custom patches that all relate to her,” says Mazur. “There’s GZB, which is the name of her fan base, and other little references that have been sewn in with dental floss, like the original [punks] did it.” The DIY touches added visual interest, something Mazur hopes the viewers at home appreciate. “I'm always interested in multiple layers, especially when someone is already an exciting performer,” says Mazur. "As a stylist, you always want to push things further. You have to take some risks and add an element of surprise—what can you give the audience that feels new.”