DIPSET X VINTAGE FRAMES UNVEIL BOLD EYEWEAR COLLABORATION: From oversized jerseys to chains that swung heavy in the early 2000s, Dipset has always set the tone for how Hip Hop looked as much as how it sounded. Now, they’re putting that same Harlem confidence into shades. The Rap collective teamed up with Vintage Frames Company to launch a limited-edition pair of bold black sunglasses at ESSX, proving their influence on style is as strong as ever.
To kick off Fashion Week festivities, New York City witnessed a cultural crossover on September 10th as Vintage Frames Company joined forces with The Diplomats (Dipset) to debut their first-ever eyewear collaboration at ESSX. The launch celebrated more than just sunglasses, it marked the blending of music, fashion, and legacy.
Guests gathered for an exclusive evening of music and style, celebrating Jim Jones and Juelz Santana. Notable attendees included ASAP Ferg, Fabolous, Maino, FoodGod, Laura Stylez, Jonathan Mannion, Ty Hunter, KidSuper, and Vandythepink. Jim Jones and Juelz Santana also reunited for a live performance with hits such as ‘Ballin’ and ‘Dipset Anthem’, while DJ Statik Selektah curated the soundtrack and Martell kept glasses full with Dipset-inspired cocktails.
At the centre of the night was the limited-edition frame: a sleek black sunglass finished with Dipset’s iconic gold eagle emblem. Priced at $250 USD, the collaboration officially launched September 11th on vintageframescompany.com, following its in-store debut at ESSX.
For Dipset, accessories have always been more than style — they’ve been statements of identity. From Harlem’s streets to international stages, the group reshaped how Hip Hop expressed itself, merging oversized fits, chains, and shades into an unapologetic cultural blueprint. Two decades later, the new frames carry that same energy: bold, confident, and unforgettable.
“The Diplomats were never just about music. They were about being authentically themselves first and asking for forgiveness later,” said Corey Shapiro, founder of Vintage Frames Company. “ESSX shares that ethos, spotlighting innovators before the world labels them as trendy.”
Dipset echoed that sentiment: “From the beginning we knew our style was bigger than Harlem. It was about putting our story on the global stage. Now that story lives in eyewear.”
ESSX, a Lower East Side concept store known for spotlighting both established and emerging designers, was a fitting stage for the launch. Since its 2023 opening, the space has become a hub for cultural tastemakers, making it the perfect venue for Dipset’s latest chapter.
More than a fashion accessory, the collaboration stands as a wearable piece of history. For fans and style enthusiasts alike, the shades embody Dipset’s enduring influence, proof that their impact continues to resonate at the crossroads of music and fashion.
Words by Nickeeba Archer
About Vintage Frames Company
Founded in 2008, Vintage Frames Company is home to the largest designer vintage eyewear archive in the world, housing a vast collection of original, deadstock, name-brand frames spanning 6 decades. Purveyed by a team of fashion historians, the brand is the global authority on vintage fashion. In 2018, Vintage Frames launched its namesake line with a mission to educate & inspire today’s consumer, combining innovation with homage across design and production.
Vintage Frames Company uses vintage machinery and techniques; reviving craftsmanship that was lost as mass-market production became industry standard. The brand has 2 flagship retail locations in Montreal, Canada and Miami, FL. It can also be found online and in select fashion retailers globally such as KITH, ESSX, CNCPTs, and more. For more information, visit www.vintageframescompany.com.
About The Diplomats
Formed in Harlem in 2001, The Diplomats, also known as Dipset, are one of hip hop’s most influential collectives. Members Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zekey set a new standard for how music, fashion, and lifestyle could merge into a global cultural movement. Their brand has been embraced not only by fans but by stylists and artists of the new generation, securing its place as one of pop culture’s most enduring franchises.
About ESSX
ESSX is a concept store located at the intersection of Essex and Rivington in New York City’s Lower East Side. Since opening in 2023, ESSX has redefined the retail experience with its expansive 7,000-square-foot space, curated to showcase the cutting edge of advanced contemporary fashion. The selection spans a balanced mix of established American designers, iconic European labels, and a global roster of emerging talent — inviting discovery at every turn.
