A$AP Rocky’s Revolver Umbrella Ignites Met Gala Controversy
You probably need me to spell out why A$AP Rocky’s latest accessory is making headlines again. At the 2025 Met Gala—just under three months after he was cleared of weapons charges—A$AP Rocky stepped onto the red carpet wielding an umbrella topped with a chrome revolver handle. According to People Magazine, the rapper’s Luna Rossa design wasn’t merely a quirky fashion twist; it was a literal nod to the very legal drama that dominated headlines earlier this year. The Independent adds that Rocky’s partner, Rihanna, gave him the go-ahead on the bold choice, reportedly praising the umbrella as “innovative” and “totally him.”
Let’s walk through the timeline you might have glossed over. In January, Rocky faced misdemeanor and felony gun charges following an alleged incident in Los Angeles. By February, prosecutors dropped the case due to conflicting witness statements and a lack of clear evidence. Many outlets, including Rolling Stone, pointed out that Rocky’s public image took a brief hit when news of the arrest broke. Fast-forward to May, and here we are: Rocky strolling under a fashion statement that screams “guns” while grinning at photographers. If you thought that was contradictory, you’re not alone.
Social media exploded as soon as the photos hit Instagram and Twitter. Some fans praised Rocky for “owning his narrative” and flipping a negative into haute couture (The Independent). Others felt the move was in “poor taste,” arguing that glamorizing firearms—even as a motif—sidesteps the serious nature of gun violence in America (see commentary on CNN.com). Unexpected voices chimed in, too: fashion critic Vanessa Friedman tweeted that the umbrella was “a clever riff on the theme of conflict,” while grief support groups expressed concern about trivializing firearm imagery at a major charitable fundraiser.
Stylistically, the revolver handle played off the Met’s “Old Hollywood Cinematic Glamour” theme—think 1940s noir. Rocky paired it with a custom Dior Homme tuxedo and patent leather loafers, per Vogue. The juxtaposition was undoubtedly striking, but it left plenty of people wondering whether shock value is worth the potential backlash. A source close to the rapper told People Magazine that Rocky “loves making statements” and “never shies away from controversy,” adding that this was “100% intentional.”
Hopefully you’re following along, even if you missed the designer interviews or tweets from concerned onlookers. Now that you’ve seen how Rocky transformed a legal hurdle into a red-carpet talking point, you might want to keep an eye on how this plays out in pop culture. After all, when you mix guns and glam, the conversation rarely ends on the first page. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Independent
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
