Kendrick Lamar’s style evolution over the years has been nothing short of intentional. From his early West Coast aesthetic to the custom, high-fashion pieces we see today, his wardrobe choices mirror his artistic journey—thoughtful, layered, and deeply rooted in culture. In recent years, his collaborations with Caribbean designers Martine Rose and Grace Wales Bonner have become defining moments in his fashion story.
Martine Rose: The Rule-Breaker Redefining Menswear
Martine Rose isn’t just designing clothes—she’s shifting the entire conversation around menswear. Her work is unconventional, subversive, and deeply rooted in cultural storytelling, drawing inspiration from underground subcultures, her Jamaican heritage, and the way real people dress. Since launching her label in 2007, she has built a brand that refuses to play by fashion’s rules, making her one of the most exciting designers of our time.
Born in South London in 1980 to a British mother and a Jamaican father, Rose grew up immersed in a mix of cultures that shaped her perspective on style. The city’s underground rave, punk, and reggae scenes left a lasting impression, and that rebellious energy shows up in her work today.Rose studied fashion at Middlesex University, and when she first launched her brand, it was all about shirts—oversized, boxy, and unlike anything else on the market. That experimental approach quickly expanded into full menswear collections, where she played with proportion, nostalgia, and references to working-class style in a way that felt fresh and disruptive.
Martine Rose isn’t following trends—she’s twisting them. Her collections take classic menswear pieces and push them to their limits. Tailoring is exaggerated, sportswear is warped, and silhouettes feel intentionally off-kilter, creating an aesthetic that is equal parts familiar and unexpected.
There’s a direct connection between her designs and the people who inspire them. She pulls from the “saga boy” aesthetic of Caribbean menswear, 90s rave culture, and everyday London street style, crafting pieces that feel like they belong in both a high-fashion setting and a dive bar. That authenticity is why musicians, artists, and tastemakers gravitate toward her work.
Embed from Getty ImagesGrace Wales Bonner: A Visionary in Fashion and Cultural Storytelling
Grace Wales Bonner is a British-Jamaican designer known for her intellectual approach to fashion, seamlessly blending European tailoring with Afro-Atlantic influences. Since launching her eponymous label in 2014, she has carved out a distinct space in the industry, one that explores themes of identity, heritage, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Born in London in 1990 to a Jamaican father and an English mother, Wales Bonner grew up surrounded by multiple cultural influences, which later shaped her design philosophy. She studied at Central Saint Martins, where her 2014 graduate collection, Afrique, caught the attention of the fashion world for its meticulous craftsmanship and exploration of Black masculinity. This collection laid the foundation for the signature aesthetic that would define her brand—one that balances European refinement with the richness of the African diaspora.
After graduating, Wales Bonner launched her label, focusing on menswear that redefined notions of elegance and masculinity through a cultural lens. She quickly gained recognition for her thoughtful designs, winning the LVMH Prize for Young Designers in 2016. Over the years, her work has evolved to include womenswear while maintaining her core emphasis on storytelling through clothing.
Her collections often draw from literature, music, and history, incorporating elements like hand-embroidery, rich textures, and traditional African craftsmanship. She collaborates with artisans from across the diaspora, ensuring that each piece carries deeper cultural significance beyond its aesthetic appeal.
Kendrick Lamar has been an outspoken admirer of Wales Bonner’s work, incorporating her designs into some of his most high-profile moments. Their collaboration was most notably displayed during his performance at Move Afrika in Kigali, Rwanda, in December 2023. For this event, Wales Bonner designed a custom black suit for Lamar, intricately hand-embroidered with beads and shells, reflecting both African craftsmanship and her signature attention to detail. The look was completed with accessories like the Story necklace and Compass brooch, which featured hand-painted Ghanaian beads and freshwater pearls.
Embed from Getty ImagesBeyond this performance, Lamar has repeatedly signaled his admiration for Wales Bonner. In his track The Hillbillies, he raps, “I ain’t even gotta fact check, all I’m wearin’ is Wales Bonner,” highlighting his deep appreciation for her designs and their cultural resonance.
When he took home five Grammy Awards in 2025, it wasn’t just his music that spoke volumes—it was his entire presence. Every look he’s worn in recent years tells a deeper story, reinforcing that, like his music, Kendrick Lamar’s fashion choices are about more than aesthetics—they’re about impact.
