Meet Matthew Henson and his work as a stylist for A$AP Rocky

Jun 4, 2019

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Born on March 7, 1985, in the seaside region of Long Branch, New Jersey, Matthew Henson is currently one of the most well-known fashion designers within streetwear culture. Having dressed singers like The Weeknd and, especially, A$AP Rocky, they brought the public's attention to Henson.
In an interview with The New York Times, Matthew shares that his mother and father, who work in the medical field, are very happy for their son's success but have never really understood what he does. The former editor of Complex magazine, now at 34 years old, is part of AWGE, a group of creators from various fields founded by his friend A$AP Rocky.
The two met in 2012 during a photo shoot for Complex, Matthew tells Vogue. The designer says he has never worked with anyone with a style as natural as Rocky’s; according to him, the rapper's work as a stylist is a collaborative effort, that is, Henson shows some clothes from the singer's favorite designers and he mixes them with pieces he already owns. A$AP Rocky likes challenges and regularly combines the experimental clothing from the runways with something anyone would wear.
For those who intend to pursue a career as a designer, Matthew Henson explained to the blog Style Counsel that he advises newcomers to choose which field they will work in, whether as a celebrity stylist or in magazine editorials. Attending fashion-related events is also a good way to learn, surrounding oneself with professionals in the field and understanding how they work. Another piece of advice is to use social media as a tool, not only as a source of inspiration but also as a way to inspire and influence others, which is precisely the work of a stylist.