A$AP Rocky x Ray-Ban marks a historic turning point in the eyewear world. In 2025, the iconic brand made an unprecedented move by appointing the rapper and fashion icon as the first creative director in its history. Known for its timeless designs, Ray-Ban is banking on this collaboration to reinvent its identity, blending its legendary heritage with a distinctly modern vision.
With his avant-garde style and global influence, A$AP Rocky brings a new energy to the brand. His first project, the Blacked Out Collection, reimagines Ray-Ban’s cult models with a fresh approach, merging minimalism with streetwear aesthetics. But this partnership goes beyond eyewear: it embodies a global strategy where music, fashion, and design intertwine to launch Ray-Ban into a new era.
But who exactly is A$AP Rocky, the artist capable of shaking up both the fashion and eyewear industries?
A$AP Rocky x Ray-Ban, this is not just a fashion collaboration — it’s the alliance of a visionary artist and an iconic brand. But who really is Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, the artist who keeps pushing the boundaries between music, fashion, and design?
Revealed in 2011 with his mixtape Live.Love.A$AP, he quickly established himself as one of the leading figures in contemporary hip-hop. His albums LONG.LIVE.A$AP and TESTING have amassed billions of streams, while his videos have reached over 3.5 billion views on YouTube. His musical style, blending sonic experimentation with old-school inspiration, has earned him global recognition.
But A$AP Rocky doesn’t stop at music: he shapes a true visual identity, where each artistic project becomes a style statement.
Very quickly, Rocky established himself as an essential icon of both urban fashion and luxury. His creative agency AWGE became a reference in the streetwear world, collaborating with prestigious brands like Dior, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta. His style — balancing sharp vintage pieces, avant-garde silhouettes, and meticulously crafted accessories — makes him a true trendsetter.
“I don’t want to. It would be disrespectful to use my celebrity to force my way into the fashion industry, because I didn’t study design, drawing, or textiles. I just appreciate fashion; I’m a consumer.” – A$AP Rocky, interview with Mr. Porter.
He doesn’t just follow trends — he creates them. In 2024, he made headlines at Paris Fashion Week with his show “A$AP Rocky: AMERICAN SABOTAGE,” proving he’s far more than just a brand ambassador.
How will this unique vision transform the world of Ray-Ban?
A$AP Rocky x Ray-Ban goes far beyond a marketing collaboration: it’s the meeting of a visionary and an iconic brand. Since his beginnings, A$AP Rocky has revolutionized hip-hop aesthetics by blending luxury pieces, reimagined tailoring, and vintage references into a unique style.
Unlike other artists who adopt trends, Rocky creates them. His sense of style has elevated him to the status of global icon, influencing not just fashion enthusiasts, but designers themselves.
First rapper to popularize luxury streetwear, mixing Haute Couture with urban codes.
Close to Raf Simons, whom he often cites as one of his major inspirations.
Face of Gucci, Dior, and Calvin Klein, he has starred in influential campaigns and helped redefine the image of the rapper in luxury fashion.
Founded his collective AWGE, a trend lab shaping the new wave of streetwear.
His show “A$AP Rocky: AMERICAN SABOTAGE” (2024) at Paris Fashion Week proved he’s no longer just a brand ambassador, but a creator in his own right.
“I want fashion to be free, to be inspired by all cultures, and not be boxed in.” – A$AP Rocky
Thanks to this forward-thinking vision, Ray-Ban has found in him the perfect creative director to reinvent its iconic frames.
How will this unique approach redefine Ray-Ban’s image?
For nearly 80 years, Ray-Ban has been a leading reference in the world of eyewear. But in 2025, the iconic brand takes a historic leap by naming A$AP Rocky creative director — a first in its history. This move reflects a strong desire to reinvent its identity by becoming even more rooted in contemporary culture.
Ray-Ban has always been associated with cultural icons, from U.S. Air Force pilots to Hollywood stars. But today, it aims to reach a new generation, more connected to urban and artistic influences.
A$AP Rocky is more than a rapper — he’s a key figure in fashion and design.
His influence goes beyond music: his avant-garde style and vision blending streetwear and luxury resonate perfectly with the market’s evolution.
His community is young and engaged — exactly the audience Ray-Ban wants to reach.
His role goes beyond eyewear: he shapes the brand’s image, from collections to advertising campaigns.
“Ray-Ban goes beyond the eyewear industry; it’s not just a brand, it’s a true lifestyle.” – Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, Chairman of Ray-Ban
With this appointment, Ray-Ban isn’t just naming a brand ambassador — it’s bringing a true visionary to lead its creative direction.
For his first project, A$AP Rocky unveils the Blacked Out Collection, a modern reinterpretation of Ray-Ban’s cult models. This collection perfectly illustrates his stylistic signature:
“Mega” versions of classic Ray-Bans, reworked with bolder, oversized shapes.
Gold-plated finishes, adding a distinctive luxury touch.
New ultra-black lenses, delivering a minimalist aesthetic and a never-before-seen mysterious effect.
A clear hip-hop and streetwear influence that modernizes the brand’s image.
This approach goes far beyond eyewear design. A$AP Rocky wants to reinvent the Ray-Ban experience, from retail store concepts to the creative direction of campaigns.
What impact will this transformation have on the future of Ray-Ban?
This appointment signals a true strategic transformation, aiming to modernize Ray-Ban’s image while staying true to its heritage.
Ray-Ban has always been associated with authenticity, independence, and iconic status. However, as the market evolves rapidly and consumer expectations shift, the brand must reinvent itself to stay relevant.
With A$AP Rocky leading the creative direction, Ray-Ban aims to:
Attract a younger audience connected to streetwear and luxury influences.
Strengthen its ties to music and urban culture, moving beyond its traditional image linked to cinema and Hollywood icons.
Create more exclusive collections, inspired by today’s fashion and contemporary lifestyle.
“I’m honored to be Ray-Ban’s first creative director. My goal is to respect the brand’s heritage while bringing a contemporary touch.” – A$AP Rocky (GQ)
According to Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, Chairman of Ray-Ban, this initiative marks a shift toward a bolder, more experimental chapter, while remaining faithful to the brand’s DNA.
Choosing a rapper as creative director of a historic brand reflects a broader trend in the industry. After Pharrell at Louis Vuitton, Ray-Ban is embracing a new model where artists are no longer just ambassadors — they are true creative decision-makers.
Luxury and streetwear brands are multiplying collaborations with figures from music and pop culture.
Artists bring a fresh perspective, helping brands expand their audience and reconnect with emerging trends.
If the Ray-Ban x A$AP Rocky bet proves successful, it could pave the way for similar appointments across the industry.
With this initiative, Ray-Ban isn’t simply capitalizing on A$AP Rocky’s image. It’s embracing a creator with a real vision, capable of redefining the brand’s future and injecting new energy into its collections.
By naming A$AP Rocky as creative director, Ray-Ban goes beyond a simple marketing collaboration. This decision signals a true transformation, where the brand relies on a visionary figure to modernize its image and reach a new generation.
With the Blacked Out Collection, Rocky isn’t just revisiting the classics — he brings a new aesthetic identity to Ray-Ban, fusing the brand’s timeless heritage with streetwear and luxury influences.
Beyond design, this appointment reflects a broader trend in which artists become key players in the reinvention of major fashion houses. Much like Pharrell at Louis Vuitton, Ray-Ban takes a bold step by placing an influential creator at the helm of its image and collections.
“Ray-Ban is more than a brand — it’s a true lifestyle,” said Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio. With A$AP Rocky, that lifestyle enters a new chapter — one defined by creativity, boldness, and modernity.
The future of Ray-Ban is now being written with a fresh perspective. The question remains: will this alliance spark a lasting revolution in the eyewear and fashion industries?
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