BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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When the worlds of high fashion, hip-hop, and heritage eyewear collide, expect sparks. In a groundbreaking move that bridges streetwear edge with luxury legacy, A$AP Rocky was appointed Ray-Ban’s first-ever Creative Director in February 2025. Now, the Harlem-born tastemaker is delivering his debut masterpiece for the legendary eyewear label tagged The Blacked Out Collection–a bold, stylistic reinterpretation of Ray-Ban’s most iconic silhouettes, laced with Rocky’s distinct cultural imprint.
mega clubmaster
The collection, which dropped in April 2025, reimagines three of Ray-Ban’s classic styles; the Mega Clubmaster, Mega Wayfarer and Mega Balorama. True to its name, the capsule leans heavily into the aesthetics of shadow and statement. Each frame is fitted with ultra-black lenses that bring a moody, futuristic cool. Gold-plated accents elevate the collection with a touch of opulence, while a tattoo-inspired AWGE emblem–a nod to Rocky’s creative collective–seals each piece with his signature swagger.
But this isn’t just a facelift for Ray-Ban classics. The collection tells a visual story across eras: the Mega Clubmaster leans into vintage glamour with bold brows and sharp contrast; the Mega Wayfarer taps into mid-century cool with its revamped proportions; and the Mega Balorama, a longtime favorite among cinematic rebels, is reborn with a Y2K twist, boasting chunky arms and wraparound bravado. Each pair also comes housed in a special-edition case featuring an A$AP Rocky-designed 1000-dollar bill print–a collectible nod to his luxury-meets-street fusion.
mega balorama
The “Blacked Out” Collection is only part of Rocky’s vision. As Creative Director, his influence will extend far beyond eyewear design. He’s also tasked with leading Ray-Ban’s campaign direction, redesigning retail experiences, and steering brand storytelling in a direction that fuses fashion, music, and art. His goal? To reintroduce Ray-Ban to a new generation–one that values authenticity, disruption, and bold self-expression.
Rocky’s appointment wasn’t a random play. Months before the official announcement, he previewed the future during his “American Sabotage” show at Paris Fashion Week in June 2024. There, models rocked unreleased Ray-Ban styles (including the Mega Balorama) seamlessly blending archival inspiration with modern-day rebellion. The collaboration felt organic, inevitable even. A$AP Rocky has long been one of Ray-Ban’s most influential cultural ambassadors, often spotted pairing their frames with his high-low aesthetic.
Beyond fashion and design, the partnership holds philanthropic weight. Through Ray-Ban’s parent company, EssilorLuxottica, Rocky is also supporting the OneSight Foundation-;a global initiative dedicated to eliminating uncorrected poor vision. It’s a testament to the multifaceted vision he brings to the table: aesthetic elevation paired with social impact.
For fans eager to claim a piece of this revolutionary drop, the “Blacked Out” Collection is now available at select EssilorLuxottica stores and Ray-Ban’s official webstore, priced at $266 USD each. And while that price secures one of the sleekest sunglasses on the market, it also buys a piece of fashion history–a moment where A$AP Rocky, Ray-Ban, and cultural evolution converged.
From the runway to retail, Rocky’s debut as Creative Director isn’t just about style, it’s about redefining legacy with rebellion. The “Blacked Out” era has arrived, and it’s as sharp, unapologetic, and visionary as its architect.
