Kendrick Lamar just added fashion icon to his ever-growing list of titles. The Grammy and Pulitzer-winning rapper has officially been named a Chanel ambassador, making waves in the fashion world with the luxury house’s latest eyewear campaign.
The news dropped on April 22, with Chanel confirming the collab through Business of Fashion, and it’s already sending the internet into a frenzy. Lamar, who’s always played the long game with artistry and aesthetics, called Chanel’s legacy “timeless” and said it deeply resonated with him.
The announcement isn’t just about slapping a celeb on a brand. Kendrick actually visited Chanel’s ateliers and got a behind-the-scenes look at how design turns into high fashion. “Seeing the people who work hard and bring these visions to life resonates with me,” he said in the release. “Chanel has a timeless legacy, and that is always something I can get behind. Since they don’t make clothes for men, I knew it would have to be glasses.” Leave it to Kendrick to pick the most low-key but iconic way to rep a brand.
Photographed by Karim Sadli, the eyewear campaign features Kendrick alongside a lineup of other big-name Chanel ambassadors. But the partnership didn’t come out of nowhere. He’s been tied to Chanel before – remember the 2023 Met Gala? Kendrick pulled up in a custom quilted Chanel bomber jacket by then-creative director Virginie Viard. And in January 2024, Kendrick and pgLang co-founder Dave Free even designed the set for Chanel’s haute couture show and directed the short film The Button, starring Naomi Campbell and Margaret Qualley.
And if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Kendrick just kicked off the Grand National Tour with SZA this weekend in Minneapolis. The tour will hit 19 stadiums across North America through June 2025, so yeah, he’s stacking wins in both the music and fashion worlds right now.
What do you think about Kendrick linking up with Chanel? Fashion genius move or unexpected vibe?