Man On Top

Cresting on the indomitable shockwave of BigBang’s explosive success, lead rapper Choi Seung-hyun, better known by his stage name T.O.P, courts fashion’s fancy with characteristic stylish swagger.

In the beginning was BigBang, and it opened the world’s ears to the music phenomenon known as K-pop. Its recently concluded MADE World Tour is telling of BigBang’s universal dominance – perfectly describing the superstar quintet on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, after a decade-long conquest of not only Asia but also the West (a feat considering its non-English repertoire) marked by immediately sold out shows, numerous industry records, and unadulterated acclaim. Like the cosmic singularity, BigBang not so much pushed boundaries as it transcended genres altogether.

But one member already saw this future; one could say it was his destiny. Going by the moniker T.O.P, the group’s self-styled “rap Basquiat with a mic” is seemingly prescient about the whole thing as he flaunts supersonic rhymes while dressed in Mondrian-inspired suits – a personal style he describes as “art-rap”. The 28-year-old certified sex symbol (by Rolling Stone magazine in 2013) is now making inroads into fashion’s consciousness, as fellow members G-Dragon and Taeyang have done before, and like those runway regulars, his debut attendance at the Dior Homme Winter 2016 show has caused nothing short of a sensational stir.

How do you like the Dior Homme show?

I’ve liked Dior Homme right from the start. Not long after my debut with BigBang, I saved up money to buy a pair of Dior Homme jeans even though I couldn’t really afford it. I’m such a huge fan. 

You even got to talk to designer Kris Van Assche.

I met him after the show. I love his sneakers and the sporty look he creates. His collection was quite astonishing; Dior Homme has gotten much younger and cooler than I thought!