ASAP Rocky and ERL’s Rule-Breaking Quilt Captured the Essence of American Fashion

There were plenty of interesting looks on the Met Gala red carpet, but none quite captured the spirit of the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” theme quite like ASAP Rocky’s custom ERL comforter. Since colonial times, crafts have been an integral part of the American experience, and quilts have become historical documents, family keepsakes, and contemporary art. Their multifaceted place in the nation’s history is part of the reason that drew ERL designer Eli Russell Linnetz to the concept. “There’s an intense story about this piece, it’s beautiful on the outside, it represents a world of memory on the inside,” Linnetz said by phone from California.

Linnetz was introduced to Rocky after receiving a text message from his stylist, Matthew Henson, about a potential studio visit. Based in Venice Beach, California, ERL’s serene headquarters are across from your typical fashion brand’s office and their meetings are discreet. “We spent a few hours sitting and discussing life in America,” says Linnetz. “I hooked up with him, and when it was over, I said, ‘I’d love to create something for you for The Met. ‘It wasn’t on the [original] table; it grew from there. “ Soon after, Linnetz started sketching out ideas. “He gave me a lot of freedom in terms of what I wanted to create,” he says. “And the results were amazing.”

For Rocky, Linnetz was a natural choice, and their partnership was organic from day one. “I love Eli’s aesthetic and what he does with his collections; I’m a huge fan of this brand,” says Rocky. “We go to his studio in California, we pull each other up, call it a vibe. I really enjoy working with him. I think (our vision) parallels in similar ways so it just happens without telling. “

Rocky looked like she was on the Met’s carpet with a custom silk taffeta suit based on ERL’s final collection tucked beneath a wearable duvet. The design is in keeping with the tradition of building on existing fabric. After finding an antique duvet at a thrift store, Linnetz decided to use it as the basis for the Met piece, creating a personal resonance in the look. “I procrastinated on the things that were important to me, from my dad’s bathrobe to shorts,” he explains. “Then we used these wonderful stripes and plaids and embroidered my family name all over the duvet.” The artist behind the scenes is an expert in repositioning. “We worked with an amazingly young quilter, Zak Foster, who specializes in burial and memory quilts,” says Linnetz. “The irony is that I love, using the clothes of the deceased to create this beautiful new comforter, which then [in honor of them] lasts forever.

The one-of-a-kind, mind-blowing touches are part of what made the bathrobe stand out when it debuted on the Met’s carpet. Rocky and Rihanna may be late to fashion, but their outfits are so original that they still get the most talked about looks of the evening. Most of the guests wore black ties, but Rocky’s patchwork gave the evening some weird moments. For his part, Rocky credits Linnetz’s work for keeping him cozy and evoking the sense of playfulness that is an essential element of American style. “I think it’s dope [and] it’s fun; I like fun brands,” he said. “I think he brings a fun, unique side to the design. America has many images, and Americans have their own way of doing things. I think his work represents what American fashion might look like.”