Hot off the heels of one of her most significant career highs, Sabrina Carpenter dons the iconic Biggie frames as part of the latest Versace eyewear campaign. The Grammy-winning pop star told Vogue she was “really excited to put [her] own twist on [Biggies]” as they are such a quintessential piece in both music and fashion history. She may be Short ‘n Sweet, but it makes sense that such a milestone year in her journey would be solidified by her representing a campaign of eyewear previously donned by a legacy artist as seminal as Notorious B.I.G.
The new campaign brings back the unforgettable frames in their most popular form: black-and-gold acetate with the Versace Medusa medallion symbol. But as a celebration of the new guard, it also expands the collection with improved UV-protection lenses and a huge variety of color combinations to modernize the look. Overall, the campaign keeps things fresh while paying homage to the legacy of hip-hop and the rapper whose name continues to adorn the model.
Tracing back the Versace Biggies
Notorious B.I.G. created a unique brand of lyricism and flow that changed rap in the ‘90s. Even beyond hip-hop circles, though, he established his presence in the mainstream and rooted himself as a cultural fixture because of his undeniable aura and style. He never shied away from going grand while going outside of the norm to curate his aesthetic, as evidenced by his penchant for Coogi sweaters and Versace shades — a combination that would eventually be associated with him decades after the everlasting photograph that captured him wearing the pair for Vibe magazine.
Before Biggie Smalls started donning the eyewear that would eventually be named after him, the frames were still called the Versace 424. Since the 1980s, Versace sunglasses have been a staple in luxury fashion and offered cool collections that included these very frames. Their opulent, bold, yet timeless appeal made them the perfect match to draw Biggie into the 424 model. It’s this very same enduring design and quality that continues to influence the brand’s design principles today.
Other models still feature the same unapologetically thick frames, gold hardware on the arms, and unique curvature to distinguish its wearer from the rest of the world. The VE2150Q, VE4402, and VE4368, to name a few, are clear examples of this lasting penchant for class and influence.
Still, since Biggie started wearing the frames as part of his go-to fashion choices, they have become a symbol that lives on to harken back to his impact. This caused a resurgence in the popularity of the frames, which were repeatedly reintroduced due to demand—ultimately being renamed the Medusa Biggie in 2018.
The lasting notoriety of a pair of shades
What makes a pair of shades carry the same notoriety as just one of its many wearers? Well, the singularity of Notorious B.I.G. is clear and undeniable. The essence of his style is still heard in the sounds of modern hip-hop legends and up-and-coming artists who have already racked up accolades. One only needs to look at the narrative stylings of J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doechii to see how his presence is still felt in the culture.
Biggie’s imagery is heavily ingrained in the public, even outside the musical sphere. Countless shirts on every street corner to luxury brands still don his face; the crown is often associated with his likeness. Murals across the globe feature the man in his Versace sunglasses, and even art pieces from major campaigns by Pepsi pay tribute to his visage. His reach goes beyond the deepest rap fans purveyors of ‘90s hip-hop, often considered one of the all-time greats for his pivotal role in shifting the culture and revitalizing the genre.
His larger-than-life presence is best described by the man himself, who said you must “recognize a real Don when you see one” in the iconic album Life After Death, released just sixteen days after his murder. Even the nature of his death became a part of the immense shift that highlighted the systemic issues affecting young Black artists in America. You could feel the star power shining through from looking at his inimitable style alone, and this image of youthful artistry and confident wisdom beyond his years would only become immortalized and aggrandized further by the mystery and suddenness surrounding his untimely demise.
A legacy and mystery only matched by Tupac Shakur, this continues to be tackled in series like Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and Biggie. There is a grim fascination that the world continues to have for Biggie’s short life, but this is also heavily linked to the sheer greatness of his work and legacy. One can’t help but feel the loss of potential, considering the heights he already attained with just two studio album releases. With this acclaim and historical presence, it’s no wonder this same enduring fame would trickle over to every aspect of his iconography.
The Versace Medusa Biggie is just one part of his essence living on, becoming a recognizable status symbol of luxury, finesse, and genius in one fashionable frame. This is why other musicians and prominent figures continue to don the frames and imbue themselves with this vibe. After all, the only way to become an icon is to go B.I.G.
