ASAP Rocky is bringing a fresh set of eyes to Ray-Ban, as the iconic brand announced it tapped the rapper and fashion entrepreneur to be its first-ever creative director via a press release shared on Friday, February 21.
Eagle-eyed fashion fans may have seen the news coming, as Rocky, 36, wore nothing but Ray-Ban eyewear and sunglasses during his closely watched trial that ended in his acquittal on Tuesday, February 18. (Rocky had previously been charged with a firearm assault in Los Angeles, California, from a 2021 shooting incident.)
Rocky will kick things off with the Blacked Out Collection, a redesign of Mega Icons frames featuring gold-plated details and ultra-black lenses, which according to a statement, is expected to release in April of 2025.
Rocky’s relationship with Ray-Ban runs deep, as the multi-hyphenate designer has been turning to the brand for years, both in real life and even on the runway. When Rocky made his debut at Men’s Paris Fashion Week in 2024, he presented his first AWGE collection at The Hôtel de Maisons, and many of the models were also sporting sleek Olympian-style Ray-Ban eyewear.
As Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, Ray-Ban President said in a statement on Friday: “For nearly 80 years, the brand has been on the faces of the most iconic musicians, artists, actors and heroes – shaping and re-shaping the status quo, leading cultural revolutions of all the times.”
Del Vecchio also described Rocky as “a visionary artist and creator” with the ability to push the boundaries of the diverse worlds he explores,” which perfectly “aligns with the Ray-Ban DNA.”
Indeed, Rocky is familiar with Ray-Ban’s decades-long history, during which it has shown a fierce commitment to reimagining even its most historical and recognizable silhouettes, like the Wayfarers, while still being seen as a timeless yet trailblazing staple in the eyes of consumers.
Offering further proof Rocky’s the right man for the job, the creative director himself said: “I’ve always admired Ray-Ban’s ability to stay true to its roots while constantly evolving. I’m excited to be part of the strong heritage and develop the next chapter for an iconic brand like Ray-Ban.”
His involvement will extend beyond eyewear to directing campaigns and redesigning stores to incorporate music, fashion and the arts, allowing Us to see the world of Ray-Ban from Rocky’s stylish perspective. Even through “ultra-black” lenses, the brand’s future is looking, well, bright.
