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A$AP Rocky’s Next Release is Fashion-Focused After Being Named Artistic Director at PacSun

The Cali fashion brand says Rocky will help oversee designer collaborations, brand campaigns and in-store activations in LA and New York

By Ethan Whang

Ethan Whang

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July 14, 2021

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A$AP Rocky

PacSun

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In the age of Instagram and flash-fame, PacSun has arguably embraced celebrity and influencer branding more than any other large fashion company. In the past five years, PacSun has partnered with celebrities such as Kylie and Kendall Jenner to promote their clothing, not to mention teaming up with Fear of God for the buzzy “Essentials” brand. This has helped bring the company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2016, to the forefront of the fast-fashion market. 

In continuation with this trend, PacSun named A$AP Rocky its Guest Artistic Director last week, with “collab” collections expected to drop periodically in the coming months. PacSun says Rocky will help “oversee designer collaborations, brand campaigns and in-store activations to support the launches in both the PacSun DTLA and Soho stores.”

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This is the largest, but not the first collaboration between PacSun and A$AP Mob — the New York rap collective of which Rocky is a member. A$AP Mob collaborated on capsule collections with PacSun as recently as last year, though this is the first time Rocky himself is taking over the artistic reins.

For A$AP Rocky, this appointment marks the beginning of an 18-month stint working with the fashion brand. Rocky has also hinted that a new album is in the works — his first full-length since 2018 — so the rapper is no doubt hoping to capitalize on the buzz from both projects to support the other.

PacSun, meantime, has shifted its focus towards online shopping and marketing, since its inception as a surf and skate shop in California almost four decades ago. The move to include young, well-known celebrities in their branding has had a large impact, with the company enjoying a boom in sales over the past year and a half. This was only supplemented by the Covid-19 pandemic, when more people than ever spent time online, shopping and scrolling through social media. 

The first line birthed between A$AP Rocky and PacSun will come out later this week, in the form of reworked Vans sneakers. In the meantime, you can shop these PacSun pieces, which we think would work quite well with the new A$AP Rocky x PacSun shoes. 

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1. PacSun Matisse Crew Neck Sweatshirt

PacSun Matisse Sweatshirt

This crewneck sweatshirt is emblazoned with Henri Matisse’s “La Dance,” which is on display at the MoMA in New York City. Featuring ribbed cuffs and long sleeves to get cozy with, we love this sweatshirt for lounging, painting, or going out. The cream color is a base that we particularly like right now — good to pair with any type of pants, plain or patterned. 

Buy Matisse Crew Neck Sweatshirt $23.97

2. PacSun Slim Nylon Cargo Pants

PacSun Cargo Pants

These nylon cargo pants are useful and stylish. The side pockets offer extra storage for all your accessories, but don’t hinder the slim silhouette of the pants. Lightweight nylon and a drawcord waistline make them especially comfortable for all-day wear. We like to pair these with our favorite chunky sneakers. 

Buy Slim Nylon Cargo Pants $54.95

3. PacSun Eco-Friendly Patterned Camp Shirt

PacSun Camp Shirt

Hit your summer stride with this camp shirt in blue paisley print. Music festivals are back, and nothing gives off the effortless fun that comes with them like a lightweight camp shirt. This unisex shirt is also made of 100% recycled materials. 

Buy Eco-Friendly Paisley Camp Shirt $36.95

4. PacSun Keith Haring Strapback Hat

PacSun Keith Haring Hat

Put a cap on your look with this Keith Haring strapback hat. We love the embroidered front, with the signature Keith Haring look that you can rock no matter what your art history level is. An adjustable strap makes this cap one-size-fits-most, and with a white t-shirt, it’s the perfect look.

Buy Keith Haring Strapback Hat $18.00

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