Kendrick Lamar is once again proving that his influence extends far beyond the mic. The Pulitzer-winning rap icon has just been named an official brand ambassador for Chanel, marking his biggest foray yet into the world of luxury fashion.
Specifically, Kendrick will front the French fashion house’s eyewear division, making him one of the few male faces of the brand — joining the likes of Timothée Chalamet and K-pop star G-Dragon.
“Chanel has a timeless legacy and that is always something I can get behind,” Kendrick said in a statement via The Business of Fashion. “Since they don’t make clothes for men, I knew it would have to be glasses.”
The campaign is believed to have been shot by renowned photographer Karim Sadli, though details remain under wraps.
According to Chanel’s fashion president Bruno Pavlovsky, the brand sees eyewear not just as an accessory, but as a statement:
“Eyewear is part of the Chanel allure … its versatile style brings a finishing touch to the silhouette.”
Kendrick’s relationship with Chanel began back in 2023, when he appeared at the Met Gala in a custom Chanel bomber jacket. In 2024, he and longtime collaborator Dave Free were tapped to direct a short film titled The Button for Chanel’s Spring/Summer showcase. The project featured an exclusive rock-inspired track by Kendrick that fans are still waiting to hear in full.
Free described the partnership as a meditation on legacy and craftsmanship:
“We were thinking about Chanel, the timelessness, its classic spirit, and how to tie that in … putting the focus on the artisanal quality of the house.”
With this move, Kendrick Lamar isn’t just redefining rap — he’s helping reshape the very image of modern luxury. From Compton to couture, his vision knows no limits.