The rapper, a prominent figure in the fashion world, has become even more deeply embedded in the scene since starting a family with artist and businesswoman Rihanna. When I received an invitation to a show named “A$AP Rocky: AMERICAN SABOTAGE,” I knew it was going to be exceptional. Flacko never does things by halves.
The eagerly anticipated show marked the launch of the rapper’s AWGE collection during Paris Fashion Week with a special runway. The collection aimed to intertwine art with activism and challenge the status quo.
As I arrived at The Hôtel de Maisons, a French stately home adorned with baroque gold fixtures and crystal chandeliers, I realized the scope of Rocky’s vision. Rap music and flashing lights pumped from the entrance, setting the stage for an impressive display.
In an interview with GQ, Rocky described the show as a “political satire,” and this was evident upon entering the private mansion. The vast venue was adorned with political posters and mock articles highlighting social and economic discontent in the US.
Guests were given fans printed with anti-war symbols to cool themselves as they waited, while unheard tracks from Rocky’s upcoming album “Don’t Be Dumb” played from the DJ booth. On the runway, Rocky’s collection mirrored his personal style and US political history, with emblems referencing the American Underground Railroad and the Thirteenth Amendment.
The collection artfully mixed streetwear with political protest, featuring items like a bulletproof vest reminiscent of Stormzy’s iconic stab-proof vest from Glastonbury 2019. Rihanna, beaming with pride, filmed and cheered from the front row alongside designer JW Anderson and rapper Pusha T.
The show concluded with jubilant applause as Rocky took the stage, visibly relieved and proud. This debut has been a long time coming for A$AP Rocky, who has been a staple in the fashion world for years. In an interview with GQ, he stated, “How many f****** Raf (Simons) shows have I been to? Now it’s my time.”
The celebration continued with champagne, Hennessy cocktails, and politically charged cakes. Guests gathered around an edible ammunition tray labeled, “It’s easier to buy a gun than a cake,” among other provocative designs. As Rocky cut into his slice, he was surrounded by congratulations and support, embodying the peace of a man who had turned his vision into reality.
