A$AP Rocky Covers L’Uomo Vogue, Talks Mixing Haute Couture With Streetwear

A$AP Rocky appears on the cover of L'Uomo Vogue, the Italian version of the fashion bible. It's quite an accolade for rap music's crown prince, since he is the first rapper of his generation to get a cover nod like this.

Of course he is all sorts of dapper and suited up in the spread, and he talks about his relationship with fashion and how he likes to mix the high and the low end of things, which is one of the best ways to approach style and getting dressed. The results of pairing affordable and expensive threads are usually right on the mark. But A$AP Rocky isn't doing it to hit a mark. He is doing it because it's his style.

"I’ve always been interested in fashion, since I was a kid and used to shop on Fifth Avenue," the Harlem-born rapper said. "But the real leap in quality occurred when I was 16-years-old. I immediately loved Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci. Nevertheless, my approach has always been spontaneous, based on a sort of fashion sense that lets me blend haute couture with streetwear."

Again, he does it to customize his look, not to impress style watchers or fashion critics or to get on a 'Best Dressed' list, saying, "What’s most important to me is originality. I don’t have problems mixing things: I don’t care if the outfit is considered elegant or not. It’s my style. Period."

Sounds like A$AP lives by a few style commandments that are working for him, son!

Several rappers (Kanye West, Diddy) have crossed over into fashion and design rather successfully, so it is an obvious question for A$AP. Will he ever go that route?

Probably, but in a limited capacity.

"In the future I could cooperate with a brand," he mused. "Beyond that, since I’m not a designer, I prefer leaving that task to professionals and to focus on music."

Watch the ASAP Rocky 'Long Live ASAP' Video