Drake and Chrome Hearts Designed an Absolutely Bananas Custom Rolls-Royce
Stark says she’s made plenty of custom items for private clients over the years, including stethoscopes for horns-up doctors, but nothing was more complicated than this car. “The technical side is
extremely complicated,” she says. “You have to be up to standards and all that was difficult to pull off.” A car isn’t a leather jacket or piece of jewelry that merely needs to look good; Stark needed to ensure that the wheels would function properly, that airbags would deploy, and that the leather used was fire retardant.
And while the world’s first and only Chrome Hearts Rolls-Royce will deservedly get much of the attention here, the clothing collection might be as cool as Drake’s new wheels. There is a whole assortment of Chrome Hearts Certified Lover Boy merch that includes the brand’s signature cross-patched denim, and a trio of hand-dyed hoodies in grape, light blue, and a dusty red. There are also cutesy CLB-themed items like a teddy bear, day planner, a sterling silver jade face roller, and a gold keyring. Stark says Drake had colors and items he wanted, naturally, but he was most insistent on the broader mission of the collection.
“He wanted things to be heirlooms and have them be coveted,” she says. “He was very specific about having things that have longevity. Like, in 10 years, if someone says, ‘Oh, remember they did that Drake project? What were those few pieces that were made? How do you have one?’ It's like a piece of art—he’s very concerned about that.” One step to making that a reality: choking supply. “There's only a limited amount which makes it prestigious to own,” Stark says. Accordingly, the already-small supply will be available only at the brand’s Miami boutique.
For a brand like Chrome Hearts, the Drake collab represents something new. Despite its rock and roll pedigree, the brand has picked up heat among fashion heads like Virgil Abloh,
If you’ve got your eyes on a hoodie but can’t make it to Miami, you’re in luck: this sounds like it’s only the beginning of a fruitful engagement. Stark calls the relationship between the two parties “a lifetime partnership.” “We're always sharing ideas,” she says, “some come to fruition and some don't.” As Drake might put it: “What’s Next”?
The Rolls-Royce will be on display at Miami’s Institute of Contemporary Art museum until May 15th. But make no mistake—this is Drake’s Rolls. That is, if he can manage to drive it without interruption. “He hasn't been able to drive the car for over a year because the minute it’s on the road it's photographed,” Stark says.