ASAP Rocky's Raf Simons-Designed Calvin Klein Jacket Can Be Yours

Matt Sebra
Updated

ASAP Rocky and Raf Simons have the kind of designer-and-muse relationship that may seem unexpected on paper (one's an art-obsessed Joy Division fanboy from Belgium; the other, Harlem's biggest musical export since Cam'ron), but is fan-flipping-tastic IRL. Rocky's the rare artist who not only fears no fit, but has the swagger to pull off just about anything, from cozy boy flannels, track pants, and puffer vests to advanced luxury wares (see: all the fur coats). And Simons is the one most often supplying the rapper with his latest Instagram-worthy gear, be it from his namesake line, his premium Calvin Klein 205W39NYC collection, or, lately, any of the other remade-by-Raf lines under the ever-expanding CK umbrella (Like Calvin Klein Jeans Est. 1978, or Calvin Klein Jeans [which is not the same as Calvin Klein Jeans Est. 1978]). It's a win-win for everyone involved—especially the Instagram accounts tracking Rocky's every stylish move.

But without having Raf on speed dial or the bank account that comes with being a globally beloved musician—and the sponsorships and sneaker deals that come with it—getting your hands on the same kind of leveled-up menswear isn't easy. The fine people at Calvin want to fix that. First, they're linking and building with Amazon to create a "marketplace" in N.Y.C.'s Flatiron neighborhood this weekend that brings the Calvin Klein Jeans fall campaign to life with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a social media-friendly setup (floating popcorn photo booth, Alexa-controlled lights and music). The deal is this: go ogle some clothes and leave with nothing; Amazon SmileCodes let you shop on site and get any goods you buy delivered right to your front door. Marie Gulin-Merle, Chief Marketing Officer, Calvin Klein, Inc. calls it a "phygital" destination which is, yes, funny, but also indicative of the lengths to which brands must go to keep customers entertained and spending in 2018.

Calvin Klein Jeans "A$AP Rocky Trucker Jacket"
Calvin Klein Jeans "A$AP Rocky Trucker Jacket"
Calvin Klein Jeans "A$AP Rocky Trucker Jacket"
Calvin Klein Jeans "A$AP Rocky Trucker Jacket"

But back to Rocky. The pièce de résistance of the whole partnership is a limited-edition trucker jacket designed by Raf especially for the rapper, and actually being offered up for sale only by Amazon Fashion. (Emphasis on the limited edition-ness: these things are going to move fast). From the front, it's your standard-issue blue denim jacket. From the back, it's a graphic branding exercise touting the yellow-and-black circle (sourced from crash test dummies) as seen on Rocky's "Testing" album artwork. That bit's framed between the Calvin Klein Jeans logo across the shoulders and the same one on a patch by the bottom right hem. It adds up to a merch-but-not-merch one-off that's guaranteed to appeal to Raf acolytes and Rocky stans alike when it goes on sale this Friday. Until then, you can shop your heart out for Raf's latest C.K. goods for the masses at Amazon.com.