What does Vlone mean? This is a question that has been asked ever since the streetwear brand by A$AP Mob first came onto the scene. The name is derived from the word “alone”, which is fitting given that the brand represents individuality and independence.
Vlone was founded in 2011 by A$AP Bari, A$AP Rocky, and other members of the famous creative and Hip Hop collective group A$AP Mob.
The brand name “VLONE” means “You live alone and die alone”
The message behind the brand can be interpreted as that of individuality, and being comfortable in your own skin. The brand represents those who are often misunderstood or Underrated. Vlone’s goal is to show the world that anyone can be great, no matter where they come from.
The A$AP Mob has always been about fashion and style. They are often seen as trendsetters in the Hip Hop community. A$AP Rocky is known for his unique sense of style and has been photographed wearing Vlone on numerous occasions.
The brand has also been worn by celebrities such as Kanye West, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber.
VLONES Rise to Popularity
Vlone is “neither high fashion nor streetwear, It is hood fashion for Harlem residents,” says founding member A$AP Bari. Even though the brand started in 2011, it didn’t become a mainstream label until 2014 when A$AP Rocky released a music video that brought Vlone into the fashion limelight.
They then continued to release limited edition t-shirts and hoodies with the popular “V” logo that would sell out extremely fast.
VLONES Collaboration With Nike
In 2014 Vlone collaborated with Nike to create a collection. The collection was made up of t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets. All of the pieces in the collection were emblazoned with the Vlone logo.
The collection featured the brand’s signature black and bright orange colorway, this collection was a huge milestone for the brand and cemented its legitimacy in the fashion and streetwear world.
One of the rarest and most sought-after pieces from this collection is the orange and black Air Force 1s. If you come across a pair in your size, expect to spend around $5,000 to bring it home.
Later that year the collaboration was terminated by Nike when a video surfaced of A$AP Bari assaulting a woman in a hotel room.
ASAP Bari Controversy
As mentioned earlier, in 2017 a video of ASAP Bari assaulting a woman in a hotel room surfaced and subsequently, Nike terminated their collaboration and many members of the A$AP Mob group started to distance themselves from Bari.
This caused many people to boycott VLONE and stop buying their merchandise. However, the brand has continued to grow in popularity and sales despite the controversy.
VLONES First Paris Fashion Show 2017
In 2017 A$AP Bari and VLONE paid tribute to Harlem in its very first runway show. In the audience, the likes of Virgil Abloh, Russel Westbrook, and co-founder A$AP Rocky were in attendance.
Once the show began staple pieces like “Real Men Wear Black” and Denim Jackets with “FRIENDS – ” printed across the chest made their debut.
The show was very well received and some consider it VLONES’s best work to date.
What Does “FRIENDS -” Mean On VLONE Clothes
You may have noticed that the word “friends” is on a ton of VLONES clothing and items. The minus sign, according to A$AP Bari, stands for zero, so the message simply means “No Friends” or “Zero Friends.” Simply said, it’s another way to say “Vlone” or “alone.”
Collaboration with Artists
In 2020 VLONE started collaborating with artists such as Juice WRLD, NBA Youngboy, The Weeknd, NAV, Pop Smoke, and more.
Vlone created merchandise for the artists such as tour merch or hoodies and t-shirts with the artist’s name printed on them.
Because of its lucrative success and popularity, VLONE continues to collaborate with many artists, especially in the Hip-Hop industry.
Summary
In conclusion, Vlone is a streetwear brand that was started by A$AP Mob in 2011. The name of the brand is derived from the word “alone” and it represents individuality. The brand has seen a lot of success in recent years and has even collaborated with Nike and Off-White. If you’re looking for a piece from VLONE check out StockX.com for the latest release.