Rap dresses in Project X Paris!
The hoodie has taken over wardrobes. Comfortable, stylish, warm… it adapts to all looks. A true fashion chameleon, it is worn just as well with sweatpants as with a skirt and heels. No wonder the signature hoodie from PXP is proudly worn by the biggest names in French rap!
Originating in the late 1920s in the US, the hoodie was initially reserved for workers in refrigerated warehouses before being adopted by athletes who wore it to warm up after training sessions. It was the famous boxer Muhammad Ali who brought it to the forefront. Decades later, American rappers took it over, making it a symbol of gangs. It’s no surprise that even today, some people still have a negative image of this sweater, branded in memories for many years as “gangsta rap.”
A Hoodie in Every Locker Room
In the 1990s, major fashion houses like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger were the first to reinterpret hoodie codes to make them “acceptable” to everyone. Becoming “preppy,” the hoodie began to invade fashionistas’ wardrobes as a comfortable and ultra-stylish garment. Today, an essential piece of well-thought urban fashion, it is a casual staple that has established itself in mainstream fashion. Teens, women, men… whatever the style or age, it can always be paired. It’s no surprise then that the hoodie is worn just as well with tapered pants and loafers for men as over a long skirt and heels for women, or for a total unisex streetwear look, with joggers and next-gen sneakers. Ultra-cool look guaranteed and approved by many streetwear figures with whom Project X Paris has collaborated!
Rappers, These Influencers
Rappers have long associated their art with iconic fashion pieces. Streetwear and rap have formed an inseparable duo for decades where nothing is left to chance. On the contrary, everything is meticulously crafted and the looks are pimped to perfection.
“The truth is, I don’t know how you can separate music from fashion. For me, these two arts have always been deeply linked. That’s how my whole generation grew up… I can’t imagine one existing without being deeply influenced by the other,” said Olivier Rousteing, artistic director of Balmain, during Paris Fashion Week 2021. While this was true for US rappers, French rappers initially struggled to display a strong style, often opting for sobriety. Why? Artists wanted to emphasize their music and lyrics, and the musical style long suffered from a bad reputation. Brands were hesitant to associate with rappers and the image it would convey. Fortunately, after some years of maturation, the famous stylist is far from alone in this view. The tide notably turned when some American artists like Pharrell Williams refined their style and partnered with major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Dior for support. This small revolution inspired French rappers who likely felt liberated and no longer hesitated to assert their look. Aesthetics are now part of the overall creative process, and their looks allow them to stand out.
This musical style, the most listened to in France, gathers thousands of fans and proudly carries the values of urban fashion. Just like PXP! Indeed, since its beginnings, our number one streetwear brand in France has aimed to democratize this trend from the streets. An inclusive brand, our outfits are for everyone regardless of gender, age, style, or skin color! Among the key and essential pieces of our collection is the hoodie embroidered with a large Project X Paris signature on the chest, the brand’s iconic logo. It has adapted over the years and seasons by evolving its colors while keeping its character. Sometimes sober with pastel or dark colors, sometimes flashy with bright colors like orange, yellow, or pink. These colors allow men and women to wear it proudly. So it’s probably no surprise that it’s the best-selling model since the brand’s creation!
New Wave
It’s probably all this that has attracted many French rappers from different backgrounds. In France, there is no doubt that PXP is the brand that unites the most artists.
Soso Maness, Bosh, Da Uzi, Bolemvn, Uzi, 1PLIKE140… Rising stars or well-established, they proudly display our hoodies and accessories like the signature cap or the shoulder bag. During one of our shooting campaigns, we saw 1PLIKE140, one of the pioneers of drill in France, wearing the black tracksuit with the white logo, and singer Rosinia, nicknamed the princess of the 91, who became known through her TikTok account, dressed head to toe in PXP. A sign that Project X Paris continues to attract more and more attention and that the brand perfectly fits this urban spirit, notably carried by rap. The artist of Martinican origin Kalash, gold record with his album Tombolo, and Gambino, a gem of French rap, agreed to pose for one of our latest campaigns! We couldn’t be prouder that fresh and impactful talents represent our brand so well!