In her new music video for ‘Like What (Freestyle)’, the Bronx rapper gives Rick Owens a shout out while wearing one of his designs… plus more fashion news you missed
In the time since Cardi B released her first album – all the way back in 2018 – she’s become a bona fide fashion icon. From a fruitful relationship with the house of Schiaparelli, walking in Balenciaga’s most recent show, and doing community service in Margiela tabis, Cardi knows how to keep her fashion fans fed. Now, the rapper is returning to the mic with new single “Like What (Freestyle)” and with it comes another inimitable fashion moment. In the song’s freshly dropped video – where she describes herself as “classy and a cunt” – Cardi is strapped into a pair of Rick Owens Kiss boots, rendered in baby pink fleece and reaching all the way up to her pelvis. The New York rapper pairs the heels with a matching bra and shrug, shocking pink eye makeup and lots of pearls in her hair.
On the song, Cardi also cheekily references the designer while coming for her detractors, spitting “You dumb, you slow, you wildin’/Got your first pair of Ricks, now you stylin’?” Funnily enough, soon after Cardi dropped the teaser for “Like What (Freestyle)” wearing the boots, City Girls’ JT took to Twitter and posted a bunch of pics wearing the same pair. “Missing Milan,” she wrote, to signal that these were, in fact, throwback photos. Well, whoever wore them first, we like them on both!
Elsewhere in the new video, Cardi uses chopsticks to eat sushi out of a YSL bag, wears a faux chinchilla coat in the mob wife tradition, and also sports a pair of Swarovski-encrusted Y/Project boots. On Instagram after the video dropped, Cardi’s longtime stylist Kollin Karter revealed that the boots were originally a denim pair which were dyed black then decorated with over 75,000 crystals by hand. That’s a lot of work for 60 seconds of screentime, but anything in the name of fashion, right?
In other news this week, a rainy Milan Fashion Week saw Ferragamo’s neo-flappers, Marni’s fashion felines, and Sunnei’s musing models storm the catwalks; New Moschino served up hat tricks and theatrics, while Bottega Veneta stripped back the excess; Sabato De Sarno debuted his third Gucci collection, and Mrs Prada reconfigured the past; elsewhere, the audience threw trash on the runway at AVAVAV, Feben arrived for a one-season whirlwind, plus everything else you might’ve missed was revisited here.
Next up was Paris Fashion Week, where Vaquera kicked things off by robbing a bank to fund their show, Ester Manas’ curve models made a return to the runway, and Mary-Kate and Ashley banned phones at The Row. Elsewhere, Courrèges’ “playful” pockets made our chests heave, oil-slicked denim and sculptural leather adorned the Acne Studies woman, and Off-White took off on a globe-trotting excursion.
And if all that wasn’t enough, our latest print issue has just landed for Spring 2024, featuring Vittoria Ceretti, Victoria Monet and more cover stars to be revealed very soon. For other fashion news you might’ve missed, just click through the gallery below.
GANNI’S NEW BOU
Danish brand Ganni has just dropped its contender for It-bag of the season, and with it comes a campaign starring Kai-Isaiah Jamal. The brand new Bou bag features a leather upper with a twisted knot strap, and comes in caramel, silver and leopard print versions. Charli XCX was already spotted swinging one about at her NYC Boiler Room set last weekend, so expect them to fly off the shelves. To bag one for yourself, click here.
JENNIE GOES CASJ FOR CK
After releasing viral ads with Jeremy Allen White and Idris Elba, Calvin Klein has now enlisted Blackpink’s Jennie Kim to front its latest ‘Casual Icons’ campaign. In the Mert Alas-lensed shoot, Jennie reclines on a sofa with her jeans unbuttoned, and also fiddles with a record player in some black cowboy boots. To see what else Jennie’s wearing, head here.
MARGIELA & GENTLE MONSTER LINK UP AGAIN
The South Korean accessories giant Gentle Monster has just announced its “second chapter” with French couturier Maison Margiela. The original 11-piece collection landed in February 2023, and now the duo are back with another inspired take on eyewear, slapping the iconic Margiela stitch logo on Kurt Cobain shades and cobalt blue visors. The full selection is available here from March 7.
MARC DESTROYS THE COMPETITION
Marc Jacobs has always had his finger on the pulse. That’s why the designer’s eponymous brand – which just celebrated its 40th anniversary – has invited Gen Z fave Destroy Lonely back for its latest eyewear campaign. The hyped rapper first appeared in the label’s Pre Fall 2023 campaign last year, and now returns with a brand new set of snazzy specs and a diamante denim jacket. To check out the current Marc Jacobs collection, click here.
Photography Eli Russell LinnetzGUESS USA MAKE A SPLASH
Guess USA is continuing to make waves with Eli Russell Linnetz, teaming up with the photographer again for an aquatic-inspired campaign. The brand, headed by creative director Nicolai Marciano, continues to explore the Western American Aesthetic, with Linnetz stating that he wanted to tap into “something unattainable and just out of reach” in the images. For the latest from Guess USA, head here.
JACQUEMUS JUST DID IT
Simon Porte Jacquemus’ eponymous label has just teamed up with sportswear giant Nike for a brand new collection. The capsule was unveiled with a campaign starring US sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, where she can be seen wearing a knotted white bandeau and tailored skirt. The rest of the collection features draped dresses, pink tracksuits and a new Jacquemus It-bag in the shape of Nike’s Swoosh. Head here to shop the collection.