Zoey at heart: how Rei Ami brings her punk-rock whimsy onstage and the red carpet

Rei Ami has always occupied an in-between space. Born in Seoul and raised in the United States, she moves fluidly between cultural references in her music, blending rap, pop and a strain of wry self-awareness that has become her signature. Her rise has been steady rather than explosive, building from cult favourite singles to wider recognition through high-profile collaborations and the breakout visibility ofK-Pop Demon Hunters. With that expansion has come a new kind of stage: the red carpet.

What makes Rei Ami compelling in this arena is her knack for embodying larger-than-life looks with spunk and standing out as an individual even as part of a trio. In a landscape where celebrity dressing can feel interchangeable, Rei Ami’s approach feels considered and personal. Onstage and under flashbulbs, she maintains the same sense of authorship that defines her music, allowing the clothes to articulate personality and mood.

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Corseted panels and burgundy accents by Jasmine Erbas

Rei Ami wears a structured corseted gown with burgundy accents, balancing architectural lines and elegance (Photo: Rei Ami/Instagram)

At the 2026 BAFTAs, Rei Ami wore a sculptural couture gown by Jasmine Erbas that quickly became one of the night’s most discussed red carpet looks. The strapless design featured a structured corseted bodice with panelled detailing and burgundy piping that introduced depth and contour. At the hips, the form flared into dramatic, fin-like shapes before extending into a voluminous train that suggested both fluidity and architectural form. The fitted skirt included a thigh-high slit, and she paired the gown with pointed burgundy heels that harmonised with the piping details. Her hair was styled in a high updo with blunt bangs, completing a look that read bespoke and expressive within a couture context.

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Angular mini dress with architectural shoulders by Maximilian Gedra

Sharp shoulders and an angular black mini define Rei Ami’s modern, stage-ready style (Photo: Ayumi Perry/Instagram)

At the 2025 TikTok Awards in Los Angeles, Rei Ami attended in a dress by Maximilian Gedra that aligned with the event’s high‑energy cultural programming. The outfit was a sculpted, inky black mini with extended, architectural shoulders and a high funnel neckline, offering a streamlined, modern silhouette. Curved seaming through the bodice and tailored hip panels gave the look structural definition, while the straight, boxy hemline above mid‑thigh kept the mood precise and contemporary. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail with blunt bangs, framing her face and maintaining a clean line against the architectural dress.

Mustard leather trench with belted detailing by Roderick Reyes

A mustard leather trench with belted details gives Rei Ami a tailored, contemporary edge (Photo: Ayumi Perry/Instagram)

At the K-Pop Demon Hunters screening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Rei Ami wore a custom mustard‑coloured leather trench dress by Roderick Reyes. The piece read more like tailored outerwear than a traditional gown: it was cut from a soft yet structured leather in a warm ochre tone and shaped with a defined waist and broad, angular shoulders. The silhouette featured belt‑like straps at the cuffs and waist, echoing classic trench details without literal replication.

The dress had a deep, notched lapel and a double‑breasted front with oversized buttons that drew the eye vertically. The leather was matte rather than glossy, which moderated the intensity of the colour and gave the look a more subdued, refined finish. She kept accessories minimal, allowing the unique cut and tone of the dress to be the focal point. Her hair was worn sleek and straight behind her shoulders, and make-up was natural‑toned, creating a calm counterpoint to the strength of the dress’s shape.

Layered feathers and mugunghwa motifs by Guvanch

Layered feathers and subtle mugunghwa motifs blend movement and cultural reference in Rei Ami’s look (Photo: Rei Ami/Instagram)

At the 68th Grammy Awards, Rei Ami opted for a custom ensemble by Guvanch that carried motifs beyond mere decoration. The look was built around an off‑white gown that combined contrasting materials—soft, airy feathers balanced against sections of structured leather—creating a sense of duality in both texture and tone. The bodice sat close to the body, while the skirt extended into layers of feathers that introduced movement without overwhelming the silhouette. A distinctive headpiece echoed the feathered theme, framing her face and anchoring the look visually.

Central to the design was a floral motif inspired by the mugunghwa, the national flower of Korea, which appears through delicate feather work and bespoke metal‑crafted detailing down the back of the gown. The choice of this emblem was purposeful, referencing resilience and heritage in a way that complemented her role in the K-Pop Demon Hunters phenomenon and acknowledged her cultural roots. Accessories were kept understated, letting the texture and form of the gown remain the focal point.

Black velvet with cut‑out curves by Chochengco

Black velvet with curved cut-outs showcases sculptural tailoring and refined drama (Photo: Rei Ami/Instagram)

At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Rei Ami wore a couture look by Chochengco that interpreted classic evening dress through sculptural and expressive design. The piece was a floor‑length gown in rich black velvet with a dramatic cut‑out at the bodice that created visual tension against the long silhouette. The neckline and torso openings were shaped with sweeping curves, and the gown extended into a fitted skirt with a high, clean line. Large wrist accessories echoed the strength of the cut‑out detail, introducing a sense of rhythm between material and negative space. Hair was styled to complement the architectural quality of the gown, and minimal jewellery allowed the shape and tailoring to remain in focus. This was a design that emphasised proportion and form rather than embellishment, occupying a different register from more traditional award‑show gowns.

Black corset and hardware accents by Guvanch

Sleek black tailoring with hardware details keeps Rei Ami performance-ready and polished (Photo: Rei Ami/Instagram)

At Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Rei Ami wore a custom Guvanch ensemble created for the live performance of “Golden” with Huntr/x. The look leaned into stage‑ready structure rather than traditional red carpet glamour: a corseted bodice with metallic accents that allowed freedom of movement while maintaining a polished silhouette. Subtle hardware details—zippers, studs and layered panels—introduced texture and visual interest under stage lights, while black boots grounded the outfit. Hair was pulled back sleekly, keeping the focus on the geometric lines of the outfit, and minimal accessories ensured the ensemble read cohesive on camera. The outfit translated the signature Guvanch mix of modern tailoring and subtle theatricality into a performance‑ready context.

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