Photo Credits: DAZED Korea Balenciaga BigHit Music

In an arresting fusion of avant-garde luxury and contemporary Korean pop culture, CORTIS commands the 2025 Winter Edition covers of DAZED Korea in collaboration with Balenciaga. The six variant covers showcase the rookie K-pop group transformed into striking embodiments of natural and sculptural elements, inspired unmistakably by Balenciaga’s latest fragrance collection marking a poignant 75 years since founder Cristóbal Balenciaga’s original “Le Dix” scent. This editorial marries high fashion’s boundary-pushing aesthetics with fresh youthful energy, making CORTIS not only the faces of the issue but also symbols of artistic metamorphosis.

The pictorial’s visual narrative is bold and inventive—the members artfully stylized as “human trees,” encapsulating organic forms with a high-fashion twist. The imagery channels a dynamic blend of eerie surrealism and elegance, framing CORTIS against wintery, textured backdrops that echo the fragrance’s depth and sophistication. The styling leans heavily on Balenciaga’s signature oversized silhouettes and experimental proportions, balancing structured tailoring with fluidity. Luxurious fabrics are layered with nature-inspired motifs, while accessories and makeup add subtle futuristic yet raw touches that frame the members’ charismatic presences.

Stylistically, CORTIS embodies an interdisciplinary approach to fashion narrative. Each look is meticulously curated by stylists Park Ji-yeon and Park Sang-wook, integrating Balenciaga’s modern silhouettes with creative twists—metallic accents, chunky industrial footwear, and sculptural layering evoke both resilience and avant-garde allure. Hair by Lee Hyun-woo channels natural textures, often teased to reflect organic growth with whispered nods to earthbound elements like branches and roots, creating a harmonious contrast with the sleek editorial makeup by Jo Hye-mi. Makeup blends a muted palette with sharp contouring and dewy skin, highlighting each member’s youthfulness yet mature poise.

CORTIS’s visual presentation in this DAZED collaboration is not mere display but cultural dialogue—bridging K-pop’s infectious charisma with Balenciaga’s pioneering artistry. The shoot’s concept embodies a sophisticated tension between nature and fashion technology, the raw and the refined, signaling CORTIS’s arrival as multifaceted global icons beyond music. This collaboration heralds a fresh chapter in K-pop fashion synergy, setting a precedent for future global brand partnerships blending music, lifestyle, and haute couture.

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