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What is VLONE?
VLONE is a popular streetwear clothing brand that has become synonymous with coveted and often exclusive hoodie designs worn by hip-hop artists and celebrities. The brand was founded in 2015 by A$AP Bari, a member of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective.
The Founding of VLONE
A$AP Bari and A$AP Mob
As a division of the A$AP Mob collective, which also includes well-known rappers like A$AP Rocky, A$AP Bari created vlone. The “New York street gothic” look, which combined high fashion streetwear and underground hip hop, was invented by the A$AP Mob. Playboi Carti and other artists support VLONE in maintaining that look.
Iconic VLONE Hoodie Designs
Friends Hoodie
The orange “Friends” sweatshirt, which was first released in 2016 and has a Gothic lettering with a nod to the Harlem rap collective, is one of the most recognizable vlone hoodie. This statement hoodie symbolizes the cohesion of A$AP Mob and their artistic group of “friends.”
Goonew Hoodie
Another memorial hoodie was made after rapper Goonew’s death, reading “Rest in Peace Goonew” in a gothic font. This dark oversized hoodie carries on his rebellious spirit.
Juice WRLD Hoodie
VLONE dropped a gray hoodie in December 2022, paying respects to rapper Juice WRLD, featuring his image and lyrics after his overdose death at age 21. This hoodie elevated him as a streetwear martyr gone too soon.
VLONE Collaborations
Fragment Design x VLONE
In 2017, Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Japanese streetwear company Fragment Design and VLONE cooperated. This unique olive green sweatshirt combines the typeface VLONE with the lightning bolt emblem from Fragment, creating a fusion of styles.
Murakami x VLONE
A major collaboration occurred between VLONE and acclaimed pop artist Takashi Murakami in 2018, featuring his colorful flower graphics printed onto black hoodies for a fine art crossover.
Nike x VLONE
VLONE again collaborated with a streetwear giant in 2018 on the “Air Force 1” collection with Nike. Bold orange hoodies were printed with a mix of the Swoosh logo and VLONE type for a sporty meets gothic look.
The Appeal of VLONE Hoodies
Streetwear and Hip-Hop Culture
VLONE hoodies have a rebellious anti-establishment appeal stemming from A$AP Mob’s alternative hip-hop identity. The hoodies let wearers feel part of an exclusive underground culture and movement represented by top rappers.
Exclusivity
With limited production runs and exclusive online drops, getting VLONE hoodies can feel like joining an elite club. Their association with celebrity co-signs also adds to the sense that buyers get insider access through the brand.
Bold Graphic Prints
From gothic typefaces to printed lyrics and graffiti-esque artwork, VLONE hoodies make a defiant artistic statement. The dark colors, limited color schemes, and often all-over prints give the hoodies an eye-catching punk graphic look popular in streetwear.
Luxury Fabrications
Despite their grungy anti-mainstream looks, VLONE constructs hoodies with premium fabrics like heavyweight cotton fleece, soft brushed fleece backs, and quality custom zippers. This makes them just as coveted for their construction as their counterculture styling.
Purchasing Authentic VLONE Hoodies
Checking Tags and Labels
Due to their exclusivity, many counterfeit VLONE hoodies exist, so buyers should double-check all tags and labeling. Authentic hoodies feature durable leather or metal tabs engraved “VLONE” on the backside. The wash tags should be high quality with crisp lettering.
Shopping Certified Retailers
Sticking to reputable streetwear retailers ensures authenticity. Online sites like Ssense.com and Grailed.com offer 100% authentic resale VLONE while checking artist collab drops directly from VLONE’s website. In-person retailers like Atmos NYC in New York also carry certain exclusives.
Avoiding Fakes Online
Ordering VLONE products on eBay, Craigslist, or obscure websites risks receiving cheap imitation hoodies. Warning signs include inaccurate fonts on prints, poor stitching, and improperly sized or shaped vlone logo patches. Research sellers beforehand and know common scam listings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, VLONE hoodies have become coveted status symbols among hip-hop artists thanks to the brand’s connections, limited runs, and bold artistic motifs. As streetwear continues to influence mainstream fashion, expect VLONE’s distinctive hoodies to keep making artistic statements across music and popular culture. Authentic versions will likely remain difficult to acquire and continue inspiring copycats to recreate their provocative punk ethos.
FAQs
What does VLONE stand for?
VLONE roughly stands for “Living Life Alone” to represent independence and a rebellious spirit beyond the mainstream.
Why do VLONE hoodies cost so much?
The high prices result from small production batches, premium materials, special collaborations, and the exclusivity of the brand. Many sell out instantly.
What artists wear VLONE hoodies?
Hip hop artists like A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, and the late Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD have been photographed in VLONE hoodies.
Where can you buy authentic VLONE hoodies?
Online at VLONE’s website during new releases or resale at retailers like Grailed. In-person streetwear stores like Atmos NYC carry authentic VLONE.
Who designs the hoodies for VLONE?
The brand’s founder, A$AP Bari, oversees VLONE’s creative direction but also collaborates with other artists and designers on special capsule collections.
