IVE's Liz Is Matin Kim's New Face for 2026 Spring/Summer

Liz is having a moment. The IVE vocalist landed her first major fashion brand deal when Korean label Matin Kim named her ambassador for their 2026 Spring/Summer season, and 24 hours later she picked up a beauty deal with TONYMOLY. Two brand partnerships in 48 hours is not a coincidence. It is a signal.

The Campaign

On February 25, Matin Kim, operated by Korean brand incubator HAGO HAUS, unveiled the 2026 SS pictorial featuring Liz and confirmed her appointment as ambassador for the season. The campaign showcases two distinct looks: a Spring collection built around windbreakers and hooded zip-ups with playful logo graphics, and a Summer lineup that leans on lightweight materials, relaxed silhouettes, and graphic-logo details. In the pictorial, Liz wears the brand's iconic logo-coated jumper, a new wide square shoulder bag introduced this season, and a logo hoodie reinterpreted with a graffiti sensibility.

A HAGO HAUS representative described the collaboration as an exercise in expansion of style between two icons with distinct identities. "We expect a powerful synergy as Liz's unrivaled image combines with the brand's uniquely free and rough mood," the representative added. The Spring campaign launched through Matin Kim's online and offline stores on February 25, with the Summer installment rolling out in the weeks ahead.

Why Liz, Why Now

Matin Kim sits at the intersection of streetwear and minimalism, with a loyal base among younger Korean consumers and growing international reach. Liz brings exactly what the label needs: a multi-market fanbase, striking visuals, and a reputation as an "MZ wannabe icon" that the brand's own PR flagged as a key draw. As a core member of IVE, one of K-pop's most commercially dominant girl groups right now, her commercial pull is hard to argue with.

IVE's timing also works in Liz's favor. The group released pre-release track "BANG BANG" on February 9, then dropped their second full-length album REVIVE+ on February 23, led by title track "BLACKHOLE." The album topped major Korean charts on release, with all tracks entering the Melon Hot 100. The Matin Kim announcement landed two days after the album drop, riding the peak of the album's press cycle.

Back-to-Back Brand Deals

The day after the Matin Kim announcement, Liz added a second major partnership: a global ambassador deal with K-beauty brand TONYMOLY. Two headline-level brand deals in under 48 hours puts Liz in rare company for a K-pop idol in February 2026. Fellow IVE member Jang Wonyoung has long been regarded as the group's commercial face, with an extensive endorsement portfolio across fashion and beauty. Liz is now building her own. At the pace she is moving, the gap is closing fast.

For Matin Kim, the partnership signals a clear intent to expand beyond its domestic base. HAGO HAUS stated the brand is "actively expanding presence in the global market throughout the year" and sees the Liz collaboration as the launchpad for that push. K-fashion labels have increasingly turned to K-pop idols for their global rollout strategy, a playbook that has proven effective for Korean brands looking to break out of the domestic market.