The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2025 - Issue 38

biteglasses Images courtesy of The Goods Agency The Diplomats x Vintage Frames Company Samantha Morgan admires the collaborative The Diplomats x Vintage Frames Company sunglasses that pay homage to the hip-hop group’s influ- ence on Harlem. I n a moment that fused hip-hop legacy with high fashion, Vintage Frames Company and legendary rap collective The Diplomats, widely known as Dipset, unveiled a limited-edition eyewear collaboration at ESSX during New York Fashion Week. The launch cele- brated Harlem’s enduring influence on global style and was a tribute to the golden era of hip-hop swagger. The colla- borative centrepiece is a bold, black acetate frame adorned with a 24-karat gold eagle emblem, which nods to Dipset’s iconic logo. The sunglasses are wearable artefacts of Harlem’s rich cul- tural history. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the frames evoke the early 2000s era when The Diplomats dominated the rap scene and defined street fashion. Corey Shapiro, founder of Vintage Frames Company, described the collaboration as “Harlem in a frame”. Known for his ability to blend vintage aesthetics with modern luxury, he wanted to honour the neighbourhood’s contribution to music, fashion, and identity. The Diplomats’ Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Cam’ron have long been synonymous with Harlem’s flamboyant style and lyrical bravado. Since their rise in the early 2000s, the trio set trends that influenced an entire generation. Their fashion choices, from oversized fur coats and jerseys to flashy jewellery and statement sunglasses, proved that hip-hop style was about self-expression, just like the music itself, and helped shape the visual language of hip-hop. ESSX was chosen as the exclusive retail partner to debut the collaboration due to its commitment to reimagining the luxury shopping experience. The downtown concept store on the Lower East Side of Manhattan is celebrated for showcasing designer and emerging labels before they hit the mainstream, making it a fitting stage for The Diplomats