If you’ve ever coveted drip spotted on a rapper, you’ll know that the chances of securing that piece yourself are slimmer than a celebrity post-Ozempic. Either the excessively high price tag gate keeps it, or it’s a custom designer item not sold for retail (think anything Chrome Hearts).
In the case of Metro Boomin and Kid Cudi, they’ve found a way to take popular Louis Vuitton items and personalize them. So even if you can afford the $2K pochettes or $100K trunks, it won’t look the same.
The secret to their custom pieces is hand painting. No, not like 6th-grade arts and crafts, but intricate and artistic craftsmanship suitable for hanging on a wall just as much as worn on an accessory. In a world where every designer item spurs ten knockoffs, hand painting takes luxury to a level of personal authenticity that can’t be replicated.
Metro and Cudi aren’t the first to do it, but you can’t discuss rappers wearing custom LV without crediting the person who brought hip-hop and the designer brand closer than ever—the late Virgil Abloh.
In 2018, he made history as the first African American to become the creative director for Louis Vuitton menswear. He brought his ethos of collaboration and culture, which was deeply ingrained in the communities of streetwear and music, to the brand. First came Virgil, and then came the rappers. For his Louis Vuitton debut runway show, he cast Kid Cudi, Playboi Carti, A$AP Nast, and various other artists as models.
His tragic passing in 2021 made the custom pieces he created for high-profile friends much rarer. Given his love for remixing and combining ideas, hand-painting Louis Vuitton items feels inspired by the legacy he left behind.
It’s exactly why Cudi tapped Ariana Pacino, the creative behind these wearable art pieces, to paint his LV trunks as an homage to Virgil. Our @drip expert, Megan Foesch, sat down with the illustrator and designer to discuss everything from her beginnings at Louis Vuitton and Virgil’s influence to her work for Cudi and Metro and why she loves collaborating with musicians.
MF: How did you start painting for Louis Vuitton and doing custom pieces for rappers?
AP: I began my journey at Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills, where I spent a few years as a painter and trunk designer. My role involved designing special-order, one-of-a-kind trunks for a diverse clientele, many of whom were notable figures and rappers.
Shockingly, Louis Vuitton discontinued its service, which allowed clients to have whatever they wanted painted. I saw an opportunity to channel my creativity in a new direction, and I [left] the brand to start my own business.
Now, [my clients and I] have the absolute freedom to create something truly unique and on a much larger scale, unrestricted by corporate guidelines. I [can also] paint other brands besides Louis, which has opened many doors and allowed most of my high-profile clients to find me through word of mouth.
MF: What has been the most memorable custom Louis Vuitton piece you’ve created, and why?
AP: One that stands out is a recent favorite involving a stack of white Bisten trunks. The client granted me absolute freedom, only requesting that the design pay homage to Virgil. I crafted the stack by drawing different elements from his past collections and infusing them with my own creative spin, incorporating subtle references to Virgil throughout.
Additionally, I included one of my favorite quotes from him on the stack. True Virgil fans will appreciate the nuances and references embedded within the design. I particularly love how the bright and playful colors complement the white monogram, adding a contemporary twist to the classic Louis Vuitton aesthetic.
MF: How did Metro Boomin & Kid Cudi react to the custom pieces you created for them?
AP: Both Metro Boomin and Kid Cudi had personal connections to the custom pieces I created for them. For Metro, the design was a celebration of the release of his collaborative album with Future, We Don’t Trust You. The painting featured bold graphics and incorporated the album’s release dates, serving as a reminder of the immense success achieved through their hard work.
As for Kid Cudi, the custom trunk was a heartfelt tribute to his close friendship with Virgil Abloh. Inspired by their bond, I spent weeks crafting a design that incorporated elements from the S/S22 show, “Virgil was Here,” where Kid Cudi walked the runway only two days after Virgil had passed. It became a labor of love, and my team and I were honored to present this art piece reflecting the deep love and admiration shared between the two friends.
MF: What role do you think custom Louis Vuitton pieces play in the intersection of fashion, art, and music?
AP: I absolutely LOVE designing for artists and musicians. When two creatives from different fields come together, we can create something really unexpected. These collaborations result in pieces that transcend mere accessories; it’s a way for my clients to express themselves beyond their usual mediums. Through the lens of my artistic vision, we create wearable art [that] reflects their own identity, culture, life story, aesthetic, etc.
MF: Were you able to work alongside Virgil? How does his legacy live on at Louis Vuitton today?
AP: While I didn’t have the opportunity to work directly alongside Virgil, his influence permeated Louis Vuitton, shaping the brand’s direction and inspiring many of my creative endeavors. Virgil was always the biggest advocate for young creators, and his influence lives on through the work of those he mentored and other artists who continue to blur the lines between art, fashion, and culture in his honor.
MF: What is the biggest misconception about the fashion industry?
AP: Hand painting is emerging as the epitome of true luxury. In an era dominated by digital technology and fast fashion, there’s a growing desire for authenticity and individuality. Hand-painted, one-of-a-kind pieces offer exclusivity and personalization that goes beyond mass-produced items.
I believe that these bespoke creations will become a new sign of status. As consumers increasingly seek unique and authentic experiences, hand-painted accessories have the potential to redefine what it means to own a truly special and coveted item in the fashion world.
