For more updates about the The BoF 500 subscribe to the Daily Digest newsletter

For more updates about the The BoF 500 subscribe to the Daily Digest newsletter

{alt missing}

CL

Singer

The South Korean force of nature is a pop culture phenomenon and is muse to a number of designers including Alexander Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Jeremy Scott.

Biography

A South Korean force of nature, Chaelin Lee (known by her stage name CL) is a pop culture phenomenon who reigns over the K-pop scene as its queen of hip-hop. A label-mate of G-Dragon is muse to a number of designers including Alexander Wang , Jean Paul Gaultier and Jeremy Scott

Born in Seoul, but raised in Tokyo and Paris, CL’s international upbringing exposed her to a wide spectrum of creative influences. The leader of K-pop group 2NE1 (pronounced ‘twenty-one’), is a singer, rapper and a model. 2NE1 launched in 2009 and has been credited with pushing societal expectations of female musicians, especially in Asia. 

CL’s collaborations with the likes of Diplo and Skrillex helped raise her profile in the West, and in 2013, CL stepped away from 2NE1 to launch her first English solo track, The Baddest Female. In 2014 she signed with School Boy Records under the management of mogul Scooter Braun, who brought her single Hello Bitches to the American market. A stream of online coverage on Vogue.com won her a wide fashion following.

In the summer of 2016, the performer released Lifted, her first English language EP. Having conquered South Korea, Japan and China, the global fashion industry is firmly in CL’s sights. 

 

Vital Statistics

Born
26 February 1991
Nationality

Korea, Republic of

Location
Korea, Republic of
Member since
2016

Similar Profiles

Malick Bodian

Model & Photographer

Kiko Mizuhara

Model & Actor

Troye Sivan

Artist


What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.