Image via Complex Original
Ambush Design has had a long history with hip-hop and the rappers that co-sign its pieces. As Yoon, one half of the design duo, explained in our recent interview the brand was very much founded on the intersection of pop-art, hip-hop, and avant-garde fashion. Over the years, everyone from Kanye West to Jay Z have worn Ambush jewelry. More recently, younger guys like Big Sean and Skepta have also rocked chains, rings, and even Ambush clothing.
Here, Yoon shares rare stories about some of the biggest rappers in the game wearing Ambush Design.
Kanye West
"We've created a number of pieces specifically for Kanye West, including an 18K gold hand-cut ball-chain and a pyramid ring, he was really interested in the design of the ring and complimented us on way we'd used a T-bar."
Jay Z
"The black resin Jesus chain was a prototype sample we made for Kanye West around about 2010, and he gave it Jay Z. Once Hov wore the piece, that gave birth to a nation of fake plastic Jesus pieces in the market, which we never got credited for [Laughs]. Around this time we also created a pair of made-to-order hand-cut 18K gold ball-chains— one for Jay and one for Kanye."
Skepta
"This is Skepta in the Dreamcatchers multi-denim jumpsuit. It's maybe not the sort of item you'd expect to see him in but he looked so damn good in it, probably because he’s such a babe."
Pharrell Williams
"Here's Pharrell wearing our Nu Order Camo MA-1 during his European tour. We also customized a silk Nishijinori (Japanese traditional silk weave fabric) version for him more recently."
G-Dragon
"This was our first collaboration with G-Dragon. It was based on our 'Screw It' collection. He wore the whole works in his promo video for 'Crayon,' mixed with pieces from the 'Holy Mountain' collection. The bold shapes and use of color truly work with G-Dragon's flamboyant style."
Big Sean
"A customized 18K Diamond crusted POW! pendent became part of Big Sean's identity at beginning of his career. Of course the POW! collection and the pieces we made for it were also a big part of the genesis of AMBUSH®."