Hip-Hop stars Kelly Rowland and A$AP Rocky, along with several other fashionable ladies and gentlemen were honoured Tuesday night (September 5) at the 16th Annual Harlem’s Fashion Row Show and Style Awards, in New York.

A$AP Rocky was honored with the Virgil Abloh Award and when he went up to collect his award he quickly noted that he had not prepared a written speech. Instead, he wanted his remarks to “come from the heart,” similar to a freestyle.

Rocky gave thanks to the late Virgil Abloh and spoke of how he helped him to step outside his comfort zone and that Abloh has assited many others in a similar manner.

“It’s crazy because to be a trendsetter it takes a lot of balls, excuse my French,” Rocky added. “You really gotta be brave.”

Virgil Abloh is one of the most influential and respected fashion designers in America.

He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Milan-based label Off-White for awhile and then went on to become the Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s Menswear Collection in 2018.

However, he passed away after he was given creative responsibilities across the LVMH brand in early 2021 and so, this was the most prestigious award of the night.

Meanwhile, Rowland accepted her award for Fashion Icon of the Year wearing a stunning white strapless corset with a plunging neckline, pairing it with a black, drop-down skirt complete with a high slit and train.

She took to Instagram to share a video of the full look and to express her appreciation for the honor.

The awards show took place at the Apollo Theater and were also held in honor of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, according to the awards’ official website.