Audrey Nuna in Dingyun Zhang at NFL Christmas Gameday (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Cover Audrey Nuna in Dingyun Zhang at the NFL Christmas Gameday (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Audrey Nuna in Dingyun Zhang at NFL Christmas Gameday (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)

The formula behind Audrey Nuna’s effortless take on avant-garde fashion

Audrey Nuna is a Korean American rapper and singer-songwriter whose work moves between hip hop, R&B and experimental pop. Born Audrey Chu and raised in New Jersey, she built early momentum through independent releases before expanding her reach with projects such as A Liquid Breakfast and Trench. In 2024, her involvement in Netflix’s animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters introduced her to a broader global audience, reinforcing her cross-media presence. Alongside her music and screen work, Audrey Nuna has cultivated a fashion identity that resists easy categorisation. Her wardrobe references street culture, conceptual design and performance dressing without collapsing into costume. The result is a body of looks that appear controlled yet unforced, built on proportion, texture and clarity of intent.

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Sculptural silhouettes and exaggerated details

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Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne at the 2206 Golden Globes (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Above Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne at the 2206 Golden Globes (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne at the 2206 Golden Globes (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)

Audrey Nuna favours garments that prioritise shape. Structured jackets, sharply cut trousers and dresses with engineered volume recur in both editorial shoots and public appearances. Rather than relying on embellishment, these pieces derive impact from line and proportion. Broad shoulders, elongated sleeves or cocoon forms create a distinct outline that reads clearly in photographs and on stage. At the 2026 Golden Globes, she wore a Thom Browne cocoon silhouette with an oversized bow and a black veil, a composition that balanced volume with restraint. The resulting profile was sculptural, emphasising form over ornament. This emphasis on construction places attention on tailoring and pattern cutting, aligning her wardrobe with designers who treat clothing as architecture.

Monochrome palettes with deliberate contrast

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Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne at 2026 Grammy Awards (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Above Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne at the 2026 Grammy Awards (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne at 2026 Grammy Awards (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)

A recurring element in her style is a measured approach to colour. Black, white and muted tones appear frequently, allowing texture and cut to take precedence. When colour does enter the frame, it tends to function as contrast rather than decoration. A single saturated piece against a restrained base can recalibrate an entire look. This strategy keeps outfits legible. By limiting the palette, the focus remains on structure and styling decisions rather than spectacle. It is a method that translates across red carpets, music videos and candid settings.

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Streetwear foundations with experimental twists

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Audrey Nuna’s everyday style is heavy on the Gen Z streetwear aesthetic (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Above Audrey Nuna’s everyday style is heavy on the Gen Z streetwear aesthetic (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Audrey Nuna’s everyday style is heavy on the Gen Z streetwear aesthetic (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)

While her work sits within contemporary music culture, the streetwear references in her wardrobe are rarely literal. Oversized outerwear, relaxed denim and utilitarian layers appear as building blocks rather than declarations of allegiance. Hoodies may be paired with tailored trousers or cargo silhouettes offset by refined footwear. The effect is hybrid rather than nostalgic. Street codes operate as a foundation that can be reshaped through proportion and fabrication. This keeps the look current without tying it to a specific trend cycle.

Hard emphasis on accessories and statement pieces

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Hair, makeup and accessories complete Audrey Nuna’s look (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Above Hair, makeup and accessories complete Audrey Nuna’s look (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Hair, makeup and accessories complete Audrey Nuna’s look (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)

Accessories function less as embellishment and more as compositional devices. Footwear frequently anchors a look, whether through height, weight or material contrast. Jewellery and eyewear are selected to echo lines already present in the garment rather than compete with them. This approach maintains coherence. Each element appears placed with intent, supporting the overall architecture of the outfit.

Fashion as performance

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Audrey Nuna in Marc Jacobs at 2026 Critics Choice Awards (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Above Audrey Nuna in Marc Jacobs at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)
Audrey Nuna in Marc Jacobs at 2026 Critics Choice Awards (Photo: Audrey Nuna/Instagram)

In performance settings, Audrey Nuna often treats clothing as an extension of stage design. Textures that respond to lighting, exaggerated proportions and unexpected layering choices contribute to a cohesive visual narrative. These decisions support the atmosphere of a set rather than distracting from it. Importantly, the theatrical elements remain disciplined. Volume is balanced, accessories are integrated and repetition is avoided. The outcome reads as considered rather than chaotic, reinforcing the idea that experimentation benefits from structure.

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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.