aespa's KARINA and NINGNING Make Met Gala Debut, with KARINA in Prada and NINGNING in Gucci
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4 May, 2026 – LONDON – KARINA and NINGNING from global K-pop force aespa made their Met Gala debut – with KARINA in Prada and NINGNING in Gucci.
For the occasion, KARINA wore a custom white double silk satin dress with a tablier neckline, accented with jet bead and silver crystal embroidery. The cape featured a neckline inspired by the collar shape of traditional Korean hanbok, adding a subtle Korean cultural reference to the look. She completed the look with a matching satin clutch, silver leather sandals, and Prada Fine Jewellery Couleur Vivante earrings in white gold with peridot, amethyst, and diamonds. The refined styling highlighted KARINA's elegant presence and modern sophistication on the red carpet. As a Prada brand ambassador since 2024, KARINA continues to build a strong presence in fashion, bringing her refined visual identity and global influence to the house. NINGNING wore a custom Gucci sculptural gown that embodies a dark, layered femininity suspended between delicacy and power. Black pleated silk organza ruffles with rhinestone embroidery along every edge create a dramatic silhouette. The gown conceals and reveals the body depending on the angle, while maintaining an unexpected lightness, balancing density with sheerness. Recently named Gucci's newest global brand ambassador, NINGNING continues to deepen her relationship with the Italian luxury house, bringing her distinctive style and global influence to Gucci's evolving conversation with audiences around the world.
The Met Gala is one of the world's most prestigious fashion events. This year's theme is "Fashion is Art," tied to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Art exhibition. Meanwhile, aespa is set to release a new song, "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" on 11 May, ahead of the release of their second studio album, LEMONADE, out 29 May, before embarking on an upcoming world tour this summer.
About aespa
aespa is a global K-pop force renowned for their distinctive concept and powerful performances. The four members—KARINA, WINTER, GISELLE, and NINGNING—engage in a wide range of activities rooted in a unique multiverse that transcends the real and digital worlds, and the slogan "Only I can define myself."
Since their breakout debut with "Black Mamba" in 2020, aespa has continued to break records. Their 2022 EP Girls topped the Billboard Top Album Sales chart and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3, marking their highest chart performance at the time. Their third EP MY WORLD also claimed No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart.
These achievements were followed by the EP Drama, their first full-length album Armageddon, their fifth mini album Whiplash, the physical single "Dirty Work," and their sixth mini album Rich Man, with aespa achieving million-seller status for seven consecutive releases, further solidifying their powerful presence. Most recently, aespa joined forces with Anderson .Paak on "Keychain (FROM THE FILM K-POPS!)," representing K-pop as a leading act on the original soundtrack while highlighting their distinctive global sound.
After winning "Group of the Year" at Billboard Women in Music 2025, aespa was recently nominated for "Best Female K-Pop Artist" at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs). The group was even recognised in the design space, receiving a Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category for the "Dirty Case Ver." of their single "Dirty Work." With their second full-length album LEMONADE set for May and a world tour on the horizon, aespa continues to expand their global presence and connect with fans around the world.
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