A$AP Rocky Infuses Ray-Ban With a Futuristic Street Fashion Spirit
In a bold move, Ray-Ban has unveiled the Next Generation Collection, a collaboration with creative director A$AP Rocky. This collection is a daring departure from traditional sunglass silhouettes, introducing fluid, modern, and mask-inspired wraparound designs that prioritise both aesthetic innovation and face coverage.
The heart of the collection is the Ultra Wrap series, which includes three models - the Ultra Wrap 001, 002, and 003. Each model offers a unique take on the full-shield, continuous lens design, with inflated, sculpted nylon frames that wrap around the face for a seamless, mask-like appearance.
The Ultra Wrap 001 stands out with its sleek full-wrap design, emphasising an inflated, seamless shield. In contrast, the Ultra Wrap 002 features thick temples with a neo-futuristic touch, making it the most aggressive of the collection. The Ultra Wrap 003, on the other hand, maintains separate lenses, providing better visual definition and possibly more flattering proportions for a wider range of face shapes. It bears a resemblance to Oakley's performance shades.
The continuous lens structure of the Ultra Wrap 001 eliminates the typical bridge, creating an almost mask-like aesthetic. Meanwhile, the Ultra Wrap 003 design resembles Oakley's performance shades, offering a blend of style and functionality. The Ultra Wrap 002 lens, with its taller shield and pronounced block temples, creates the most intense silhouette of the trio.
Each pair from the Next Generation Collection comes housed in a rigid plexiglass cube that doubles as protective packaging and a display piece. The collection is available now on Ray-Ban's website, with pricing between $874 and $901.
It's important to note that each Ultra Wrap model from the Next Generation Collection is limited, although the edition size hasn't been specified. The partnership between Ray-Ban and A$AP Rocky has resulted in a new collection that is a testament to a futuristic, boundary-pushing vision.
The Next Generation Collection debuted at Rocky's AWGE runway show during Paris Fashion Week last month, marking a significant step forward for Ray-Ban as they continue to push the boundaries of sunglass design. The Ultra Wrap series is a departure from Ray-Ban's classic timeless styles like the Wayfarer or Aviator, but it does not abandon the brand’s ethos entirely. Instead, it offers a fresh take on Ray-Ban's iconic style, blending streetwear and fashion-forward sensibilities with a neo-futuristic, almost post-apocalyptic vibe.
This Next Generation Collection by Ray-Ban, in collaboration with A$AP Rocky, brings a fusion of fashion and technology, presenting a lifestyle statement that merges aesthetic innovation, face coverage, and modern style. The Ultra Wrap 001, 002, and 003 models, with their full-shield, continuous lens designs and mask-like frames, offer a daring blend of fashion-and-beauty and futuristic design.
