June 17th 2024.
Hip-hop artist Lil Uzi Vert has recently made an appearance in Marc Jacobs' latest campaign, celebrating the fashion brand's 40th anniversary. The renowned rapper was chosen to showcase the exclusive tote bag created specifically for this milestone occasion.
On June 14, the luxury brand shared photos from their collaborative shoot with Stephen Sprouse and Marc Jacobs. In the striking images, Lil Uzi Vert, hailing from Philadelphia, can be seen sporting an all-black ensemble, complete with a sleek black durag styled by Alastair McKimm. He confidently shows off the brand's lime green and black tote, adding a touch of streetwear flair to the classic leather handbag.
The decision to feature Sprouse's iconic graffiti design on the coveted tote was a deliberate one for Jacobs. "I wanted to use Stephen's graffiti because it meant something to me. Stephen as an artist; Stephen as a New York figure. It had the credibility of the street, but also the style of somebody who was a fashion designer," Jacobs explained of their collaboration.
The tote itself is described as a fusion of uptown sophistication with downtown punk, a concept that Sprouse pioneered back in the '80s. Jacobs first encountered Sprouse's graffiti prints in 1984 and later worked with him on the now iconic collaboration for Louis Vuitton.
However, not everyone was pleased with Lil Uzi Vert's participation in the campaign. Some fans took to the comments section to express their discriminatory and homophobic views, criticizing the rapper for his involvement in the fashion shoot. "It's giving women of the year," one commenter wrote disrespectfully. Another added, "Uzi, give JT her purse back."
But there were also those who came to Lil Uzi Vert's defense, pointing out that the boundaries of masculinity have been challenged by men in fashion for generations. "The masculinity comments are weird," one commenter pointed out. "Men used to wear crop tops and shoes with heels in the '70s. I guess there was an agenda to end Black masculinity then, too."
Neither Jacobs nor Lil Uzi Vert have addressed the backlash, but it's worth noting that the rapper has been expanding his involvement in the fashion industry. He recently made headlines for removing his $24 million-dollar forehead diamond, further solidifying his ties to the world of fashion.
In conclusion, Lil Uzi Vert's appearance in Marc Jacobs' 40th-anniversary campaign may have caused some controversy, but it also serves as a reminder that fashion knows no boundaries. Men have been pushing the limits of masculinity in the industry for decades, and it's time to embrace and celebrate that.
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