A$AP Rocky Turned The Courtoom Into The Catwalk

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36-year-old rap artist A$AP Rocky, who was nominated for a Grammy, was declared not responsible for any crime this Tuesday evening in a court in Los Angeles. Known as Rakim Meyers, A$AP Rocky was accused of two serious assault charges, involving a potentially dangerous weapon, stemming from an argument with his old friend Terrell Efron, also known as A$AP Relli, that occurred in 2021. He chose not to accept a deal proposed by the prosecution before trial, which could have resulted in him spending up to 24 years behind bars if found guilty.

In the courtroom for the verdict, the hip-hop artist and clothing designer donned a suit from Saint Laurent Menswear FW24 collection, featuring pinstripes, alongside vintage Tiffany & Co. gold earrings. As Rocky exited the courthouse holding hands with his longtime partner, singer Rihanna, there were signs of their celebratory hug visible on his shoulder, adding a surprising fashion element to this event.

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In the world of courtroom drama, the clothing choices made by high-profile defendants can send strong messages about respect, honesty, and even perceived guilt in the court of public opinion. For instance, during the notorious “Bling Ring” trial in 2010, where a group of Los Angeles teenagers were accused of robbing celebrities, journalist Nancy Jo Sales wrote for Vanity Fair that one suspect was seen wearing Louboutin heels in court. However, Alexis Neier, who stood trial, disputed this claim, stating she wore small kitten heels instead. This discrepancy added to the image of the privileged teens transformed into cat burglars. More recently, Gwyneth Paltrow was praised for her understated elegance during her ski collision trial in March 2023, where she wore brand-less outfits from Prada, Celine, and The Row, earning her the title of the embodiment of quiet luxury and calm.

The way people dress for court trials can show respect and honesty, or even influence public opinion about guilt. In 2010, during the “Bling Ring” trial, one defendant was accused of wearing designer heels to court, but another defendant claimed she wore small kitten heels instead. This discrepancy helped shape the image of privileged teenagers turned thieves. Recently, Gwyneth Paltrow was praised for her elegant and understated style during her ski collision trial in 2023 while wearing brand-less outfits from high-end designers like Prada, Celine, and The Row.

Despite Rocky being involved in severe, life-changing and potentially damaging accusations, the fashion world mainly concentrated on the style choices of the famous duo, signifying a shift in how brands promote their designs. Over the past month, Saint Laurent has been sending out press releases highlighting each of A$AP’s ensembles, but they only mentioned his whereabouts as “in Los Angeles” and ignored any reference to the ongoing case. A$AP Rocky was predominantly dressed in men’s wear from Saint Laurent’s FW24 and FW25 collections, which are among the brand’s most successful lines in recent times. In a trial that concluded late last year, A$AP Rocky’s lawyer Brian Steel also received significant media attention for showcasing and endorsing his client’s brand Sp5der prior to its release during the case proceedings.

During the current fashion seasons, Rihanna made an appearance looking stylishly put-together. She donned items such as Maison Margiela Tabi loafers, a green draped dress by Bottega Veneta, a leather trench coat from Phoebe Philo, and an asymmetrical houndstooth blazer from COMME Des GARÇONS. Meanwhile, A$AP was spotted wearing a Bottega Veneta poplin shirt, a Prada raincoat, and his signature Ray-Ban sunglasses. Notably, he often collaborates with his brand AWGE on these types of clothing pieces.

Originally, AWGE had planned to host an event during New York Fashion Week this season. However, they were forced to cancel due to trial dates. Although the show was called off, the intense coverage and attention from paparazzi images presented a novel chance for brand promotion, especially since office-centric fashion remains a popular trend according to multiple runway seasons.

AWGE had scheduled an event during this season’s NYFW, but canceled it due to trial dates. However, the media attention generated by the case could be a beneficial opportunity for brand promotion since office-inspired fashion is trending on the runways.

In the future, A$AP will jointly oversee this year’s Met Gala, titled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, with Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. This announcement arrives fittingly as the London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Weeks approach, sparking anticipation among fans online who eagerly await their appearance sporting the latest designs straight from the runway, as well as significant vintage pieces.

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2025-02-19 23:26