By now fans of A$AP Rocky are aware that along with the rapper comes a unique fashion sense. The New York native is outspoken about his fashion choices, bringing high fashion to the forefront. Although some criticize what he wears, Rocky has no apologies. In a new interview with online site Mr. Porter, Rocky spoke on his style and fashion evolution, as well he modeled select pieces from some of his favorite designers: Maison Martin Margiela, Rick Owens, Raf Simons, APC and more.
In the interview Rocky relays his evolution, from Tommy Hilfiger to high-end brands, "At the age of eight I started getting into fashion, brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica and Ralph Lauren," he remembers. "But in 2005 I started wearing John Richmond jeans. I was into Prada and Dolce & Gabbana at the time and that’s why I started to wear tight jeans, because I wanted to be a model. I started to do freelance work for Calvin Klein so I was slim and it just stuck."
He also speaks on if he wants to get into fashion design, "I don’t want to. It would be disrespectful to take my stardom and bully my way into the fashion industry, because I didn’t go to [fashion] school to learn about design, sketching and fabrics. I just enjoy it; I’m a consumer," he says.
The A$AP Mob leader says he doesn't care if people call him "gay" for wearing what he chooses: "People say I’m gay sometimes, but I have a lot of bitches so why would I care? It doesn’t bother me at all. You know why they say that? Because they can’t say that I suck, they can’t say that I’m not handsome, and they can’t say that my lyrics are wack, so they say that I’m gay because they don’t have anything on me."
He also speaks on his accessories, or lack-there-of, "I have a Rolex, but no diamonds. Rappers wear diamonds to compensate for a lack of fashion sense. I don’t even have pierced ears – I’m not into that, it’s too much."
Finally he says that his fashion obsession is what sets him apart from the rest of the rap game, "I’m not your average rapper. For us to be thugs and admire high fashion is kind of odd, but people like it."
Check out the full interview here, and peep photos from the shoot for Mr. Porter in the gallery above.