Threads of Harlem: A$AP Rocky’s Met Gala Rebellion

At the 2025 Met Gala, Harlem-born fashion icon A$AP Rocky subverted expectations and redefined the boundaries of luxury streetwear. His ensemble, co-designed with Matthew Henson and his creative agency AWGE, featured a custom double-breasted parka modeled after the iconic Marmot jackets that were a staple in 1990s Harlem street fashion. The coat was constructed from technical wool, featuring high-performance details like velcro cuffs and coated snaps—a nod to both function and heritage.

Beneath the coat, Rocky layered black wool trousers, a black vest, a white cotton shirt, and prominently displayed satin boxers, a stylistic callback to his early fashion influences. Accessories included oxford shoes from the AWGE x Christian Louboutin collaboration and bespoke Bulgari jewels. The look bridged past and future, as Rocky aimed to fuse the elegance of old Harlem with the innovation of New York’s streetwear narrative.

A$AP ROCKY 2025 Met Gala

This presentation marked a turning point for fashion at the Met—a tribute to locality, identity, and the blurring lines between luxury and lived experience. Rocky's fashion choices are becoming blueprints for high-end authenticity.