Cover From Milan runways to museum walls in San Francisco, RM’s 2026 projects trace a line between design, digital platforms and curated art. See the partnerships defining his year so far (Photo: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)
From Milan runways to museum walls in San Francisco, RM’s 2026 projects trace a line between design, digital platforms and curated art. See the partnerships defining his year so far (Photo: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)
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RM’s 2026 partnerships span luxury, tech and art, defining a cross-industry presence beyond music
In 2026, RM continues to shape a profile that extends beyond music into fashion, technology and cultural curation. As the leader of BTS and a figure whose interests span visual art and design, his collaborations and endorsements this year reflect sustained relationships as well as new intersections between global brands and his personal pursuits. These partnerships offer insight into how artists of RM’s stature navigate multi-sector engagements, maintaining relevance across luxury, consumer tech and the institutional art world without diluting their individual identities.
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Bottega Veneta
Above RM arriving at the Bottega Veneta Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy (Photo: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)
RM arriving at the Bottega Veneta Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy (Photo: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)
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RM’s association with Italian luxury house Bottega Veneta predates 2026 but remains active this year. He was officially announced as a brand ambassador in March 2023, becoming the label’s first celebrity ambassador under creative director Matthieu Blazy’s tenure. The collaboration was ushered in with campaign imagery published by the brand and shared on RM’s own social channels, in which he wore pieces from Bottega Veneta’s spring/summer collection, including the brand’s signature leather accessories.
Throughout 2025 and into the current season, RM has maintained a visible presence at Bottega Veneta events, attending runway shows linked to the Spring/Summer 2026 collection during Milan Fashion Week. His role serves as a reference point for how the brand positions itself within contemporary culture by aligning with a figure whose interests include design and visual arts.
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Samsung Art TV
In mid-2025, Samsung Electronics publicly named RM as global ambassador for its Samsung Art TV platform, a role that continues into 2026. The partnership centres on integrating RM’s perspectives into Samsung’s Art Store content, where he provides commentary on selected artworks to help users engage with visual art through the brand’s connected television devices.
The remit of the collaboration extends to live appearances and curated discussions; RM participated in a talk session at Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland, as part of his ambassadorship. His involvement is positioned around art appreciation rather than product performance or technical endorsement, indicating a niche approach that marries cultural commentary with consumer technology experiences.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
In 2026, RM’s most institutionally anchored project is his collaboration with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Announced in February, the exhibition titled RM x SFMOMA will open on October 3, 2026, and run through February 7, 2027. This initiative represents a co-curated presentation of approximately 200 works drawn from RM’s personal collection alongside pieces from the museum’s holdings.
The exhibition aims to juxtapose modern Korean artworks with broader international modern and contemporary art, bringing together artists such as Mark Rothko, Yves Klein, Yun Hyong-keun and Kim Whanki. SFMOMA and RM’s team, including the museum’s curators, are shaping the display to highlight cross-cultural dialogues. Official communications frame this as an opportunity to extend RM’s longstanding interest in art into an institutional context, with member previews scheduled ahead of the public opening.
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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.
