Welcome to the 70th insertion of DEMUR®, an analytical series highlighting the intricacies of the artistic world and the minutiae lying within. In this episode we trace the unusual origin of A$AP Rocky’s thrifted Met Gala quilt, pulling back the sheets to identify the true craftsman behind the duvet.
As the highly controversial 2022 Met Gala passes, we’re left to critique an abundance of maximalist looks yet again. Each year many gather to dissect the rooted history behind the affluent and extreme, this season’s centrepiece residing in Kim Kardashian's $4.8 million bejewelled dress, previously worn by Marilyn Monroe. In slight contrast, today we’ll be uncovering humble roots to decipher A$AP Rocky’s eccentric quilt back in 2021, crafted in part by luxury namesake ERL.
While the Met Gala unfolded just last September, critics sat in awe as faces like Frank Ocean, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and fashion’s beloved couple - A$AP Rocky and Rihanna, strut the red carpet. A peculiar accessory draped over Rocky’s monochromatic suit, daunting hues of yellow, red and blue, citing its source from a Southern California thrift store. ERL was behind the look, enlisting @zakfoster.quilts to reconstruct the puffed blanket and add a patched interior lining as well.
The outfit was a smash hit among enthusiasts alike, but an individual by the name of Sarah (@books_n_babies) instantly recognized the blanket as one she’d seen before. In fact, the couture piece was one she’d slept with, hand crafted by her great grandmother Mary Ann Beshers. She wrote in an Instagram post, “My great grandmother's quilt was donated to an antique/thrift store a while back”, and when reading Vogue’s depiction of the So-Cal source, she was confident it was the same quilt.
Reaching out to both ERL and Foster, Sarah shared images of the duvet online, expressing great excitement of her findings. The team at ERL was able to meet Sarah and conduct a photoshoot with the restored textile, complimenting Flacko’s look with full-circle backstory. ERL faced backlash for claiming the reworked model as their own, but was defended by Sarah herself.
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