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The K-pop industry has a new favourite — the Chrome Hearts beanie

For winter 2023, Chrome Hearts has wormed its way to new cult heights as the new industry elect. Enter the Chrome Hearts beanie.

Vanessa Grace Ng

| November 21, 2023

Chrome Hearts beanie — Hongjoong of ATEEZ. Photo: @ateez_official_/Instagram

Move aside, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY. Last winter saw K-Pop’s cult devotion to the label’s colourful critter-inspired beanies, spotted on the likes of Jennie and Lisa of Blackpink; J-Hope of BTS, Chaewon of LE SSERAFIM, Hyunjin of Stray Kids, Vernon of Seventeen, Jisung of NCT Dream, Kevin of The Boyz, Hueningkai of TXT — need we say more?

In the realm of K-Pop fashion, trends are not often enduring. But for winter 2023, Chrome Hearts has wormed its way to new cult heights as the new industry elect. Enter the Chrome Hearts beanie.

SHINee’s Key wearing a Charles Jeffrey Loverboy beanie. Photo: @bumkeyk/Instagram

Distinct for its gothic fluted-point cross and fleur de lis motifs, the cult label has snuck its way into crowning some of the most high-profile heads. The 1988-established, now-family-run label has earned a reputation for producing an extensive line of silver, leather accessories and gothic ready-to-wear; furthered by the inspirations of punk, grunge, rock and artisanal-level craft. At present, the empire is led by the Stark family. The original co-founder Richard Stark and wife Laurie Lynn have expanded the label, which now boasts close collaborators in the likes of Bella Hadid, Drake, and more.

Notably sported in the earlier days of K-Pop by style maven G-Dragon, a decade on has seen the label flourish into dominating the industry’s elaborate music video costuming, airport fashion, and even the personal style of some idols. Today, the new generations of K-Pop continue to venerate the luxury label: Wonwoo of Seventeen dons the Chrome Hearts beanie on the daily — via his eyewear of choice — while idol super-fans include BTS’s Jimin, Enhypen’s Jake and Ni-ki, Jihoon of Treasure and more. All of whom have a sizeable and heavy rotation that spans the entirety of the Californian label’s product lines, which, if we may add, has a notoriety for exclusivity.

As winter nears, a new and unexpected hero product has emerged from the label’s lineup. Starkly different to the label’s renowned silver pieces or roomy sweatshirts is the Big Daddy Cashmere beanie. Its popularity is uncontested for the season, having been spotted on the likes of Seventeen leader S.Coups and bandmate Hoshi; Wonbin and Anton of RIIZE, Taeyong of NCT and Younghoon of The Boyz, Somi, Felix and more. Simultaneously, Chrome Hearts’ extensive roster of stylistic head-warming accessories is also starting to make its rounds. Hyunjin of Stray Kids joins the hype train in a BS Fleur version, alongside Yangyang of WayV, while IU and Giselle of aespa opted for simpler embroidered iterations from the brand.