Politique

Belgian Designer Accuses BLACKPINK's Jisoo of Withholding Expensive Clothing for Six Months

Benjamin Voortmans of Judassime says borrowed items for an album pictorial were never returned, sparking online debate and a resolution effort.

5 min
Belgian Designer Accuses BLACKPINK's Jisoo of Withholding Expensive Clothing for Six Months
Benjamin Voortmans of Judassime says borrowed items for an album pictorial were never returned, sparking online debate aCredit · 조선일보

Key facts

  • Benjamin Voortmans, founder of Belgian brand Judassime, claimed Jisoo's team kept clothing for six months.
  • Voortmans sent items to Korea for Jisoo's album cover pictorial.
  • He tagged Jisoo's social media account and posted 'Return my things.'
  • Voortmans said he sent invoices and contracts for legal action but received no reply.
  • On May 6, 2026, Voortmans stated he received a message that everything is being resolved.
  • He said 10 other people were involved in the project.
  • Jisoo and her agency have not issued an official statement as of the latest reports.

Designer Goes Public with Allegations

A Belgian fashion designer has ignited a controversy by publicly accusing BLACKPINK member Jisoo of failing to return expensive clothing borrowed for a photo shoot. Benjamin Voortmans, the founder of the Antwerp-based brand Judassime, took to the brand's official social media account to demand the return of items he says were sent to Korea for Jisoo's album pictorial. In a video that quickly went viral, Voortmans tagged Jisoo directly and wrote, 'Return my things,' later escalating to the claim that 'Jisoo stole my things.' The designer stated that it has been six months since he dispatched several pieces from his collection for the shoot, and despite repeated attempts to contact Jisoo's team, he has received no response. He described the items as 'very important pieces from the collection' and 'quite expensive,' emphasizing the financial and emotional toll of the silence.

Legal Threats and Unanswered Communication

Voortmans revealed that he had prepared for potential legal action by sending invoices and contracts to Jisoo's team, but no one replied. 'I just wish someone would wake up and return my things,' he said in the video, expressing frustration over the lack of communication. He noted that Jisoo's name appeared on the emails related to the shoot, which led him to use her name to draw attention. In a subsequent video, Voortmans clarified that he did not intend to personally attack Jisoo but rather to elicit a response from her team. 'I never attacked Jisoo. I used Jisoo's name to get a response from someone on the team,' he stated, while asking the public to stop online criticism and hateful comments. Despite this softening, he did not withdraw his claims, maintaining that the situation reflects a lack of respect and proper communication.

Resolution Announced Amid Ongoing Silence

On May 6, 2026, Voortmans posted a new video indicating that the matter is being resolved. 'I just received a message that everything is being resolved,' he said, adding that someone will be sent to Korea to retrieve the items from Jisoo. He also mentioned that 10 other people were involved in the project, calling it 'a huge incident' that became 'a good opportunity to check everything again.' Voortmans emphasized the plight of young designers, saying, 'Young designers like us pour an enormous amount of time into each and every piece. Being ignored for six months without any response is truly awful.' As of now, neither Jisoo nor her agency has released an official statement, leaving the controversy unresolved in the public eye.

Online Reaction and Unanswered Questions

The designer's initial accusations sparked widespread debate among netizens, with many criticizing Jisoo's team for the alleged lack of communication. The phrase 'she took my items' drew massive attention online, fueling speculation about the handling of borrowed fashion pieces by high-profile celebrities. Voortmans's follow-up clarification, in which he asked people to stop excessive criticism, has done little to quell the discussion. The absence of an official response from Jisoo's agency has left key questions unanswered: Why were the items not returned for six months? Were there contractual agreements that were breached? And what steps, if any, will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future? The resolution announced by Voortmans suggests that the items may soon be recovered, but the lack of transparency from the involved parties continues to fuel public curiosity.

Wider Implications for Celebrity-Fashion Relationships

This incident highlights the delicate dynamics between emerging designers and global celebrities. For young brands like Judassime, lending pieces to stars can provide invaluable exposure, but it also carries risks, including delayed returns or loss of items. Voortmans's public plea underscores the power imbalance, where a designer's repeated attempts at private communication were ignored until he resorted to a public campaign. The case also raises questions about the responsibility of celebrity teams in managing borrowed assets. As the fashion industry increasingly relies on celebrity endorsements and collaborations, clear protocols for borrowing and returning items are essential to maintain trust. The resolution, while welcome, may not fully address the broader concerns about accountability and respect for smaller designers.

What Comes Next

With Voortmans stating that a representative will be sent to Korea to retrieve the items, the immediate crisis appears to be de-escalating. However, the lack of an official statement from Jisoo's camp leaves room for further developments. If the items are returned as promised, the controversy may fade, but the incident has already cast a spotlight on the practices of celebrity styling teams. For now, the fashion community watches closely. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, potentially encouraging other designers to speak out if they face similar issues. Voortmans has expressed relief that the situation is being resolved, but he has not withdrawn his earlier claims, suggesting that the underlying issues of communication and respect remain unresolved.

The bottom line

  • Benjamin Voortmans accused Jisoo's team of not returning expensive clothing for six months, prompting a public dispute.
  • Voortmans sent invoices and contracts for legal action but received no reply until he went public.
  • On May 6, 2026, Voortmans announced that the matter is being resolved and someone will retrieve the items in Korea.
  • Jisoo and her agency have not issued an official statement, leaving the controversy unresolved.
  • The incident highlights the challenges faced by young designers when dealing with celebrity teams.
  • The resolution may set a precedent for handling similar disputes in the fashion industry.
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