How A$AP Mob made hood fashion relevant with VLONE
The VLONE brand launched its first collection back in 2014.
Since then, the streetwear scene hasn’t been the same. Just about everywhere you look, you’re bound to come across someone sporting a VLONE hoodie or t-shirt.
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Not to mention, social media helps amplify how much of a powerhouse the streetwear brand has become over the last three years.
Despite the brand’s undeniable popularity, there are a few fast facts not even the most VLONE-obsessed thread-heads are aware of.
VLONE was created by A$AP Bari, A$AP Rocky and CLOT’s Edison Chen.
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Despite Edison Chen’s involvement in the success of VLONE, alongside veteran A$AP Mob members Bari and Rocky, Bari insists there aren’t any “official roles” amongst the three originators of the brand.
Edison does what he does. I do what I do. Rocky does what he does.
It’s that simple.
According to A$AP Rocky, VLONE means “you live alone, you die alone.”
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In a past interview with Highsnobiety, the 28-year-old rapper stated,
VLONE is just a lifestyle: live alone, die alone.
He’s not wrong.
Rocky went on to say, “People these days are just adapting to that lifestyle, whether you feel ostracized from society for whatever reason; your own internal reasons.”
The orange “FRIENDS-” print seen on VLONE clothing stands for “minus friends” meaning “zero friends.”
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And what are you when you have “zero friends?” You’re alone.
The brand has held pop up shops in major cities like London, Hong Kong, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, NYC, Miami and Los Angeles.
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Despite the fashion industry labels imposed on VLONE, the brand is not considered to be streetwear by its founders.
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From VLONE visionary A$AP Bari himself,
I’m not streetwear. I’m not high fashion. I’m hood fashion. I do my shit for the hood niggas. I do my shit for the neighborhood drug dealer or anybody that is in the struggle.
Noted.
VLONE drops aren’t supposed to satisfy everyone, so get it while it’s hot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx-aU-xHgug
Bari says when he creates “special pieces,” he only wants to sell them to “a limited amount of people.” Why? Well, because they’re special, of course.
The NIKE LAB X VLONE AIR FORCE 1 are selling for as much as $1,750, proving Bari’s limited quantity approach to be highly effective.
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Since launching in 2014, VLONE has received an impressive amount of support from familiar faces.
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When designing VLONE pieces, it’s all done with a “freestyle” approach.
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In a past interview with Vogue magazine, Bari revealed,
Everything, including the design process, is based on a freestyle… back and forth, and we brainstorm.
As Kanye would say, “I GOT IDEAS.”
When you purchase VLONE gear in-person, there’s a big chance you’ll be receiving your purchased items from A$AP Bari himself.
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Bari claims,
When you come and purchase VLONE from a VLONE pop-up I’m probably 85 percent at the store handing you your own piece.
That’s probably the only time you aren’t alone.