Robert Graham Marks Rocky's 50th Anniversary With John Rivoli Art Collection
Robert Graham, the American menswear brand, has launched a limited-edition collection to mark the 50th anniversary of the film Rocky — using artwork by John Rivoli, the only artist ever officially authorised to create visual work tied to the franchise. WWD
The Rocky x Robert Graham 50th Anniversary Collection puts Rivoli's artwork across statement shirts, leather jackets, T-shirts and accessories, with some pieces finished in embroidery, beads and crystals. Robert Graham, a brand that has existed for more than 25 years, offered the line first to VIP customers on a Wednesday, then opened it to the general public the following day through its own stores, its website and select retail partners.
Andrew Berg, president of Robert Graham, oversees a label best known for its heavily detailed, print-driven menswear — a natural fit for Rivoli's bold, fight-themed imagery. The brand's website describes Rivoli as the official licensed Rocky artist, with decades of work dedicated to preserving the visual legacy of the franchise. Robert Graham
To front the campaign, Robert Graham selected Vito Mielnicki Jr., a rising middleweight boxer — casting a real fighter rather than a model to carry the collection's lookbook and promotional imagery. The choice ties the clothes back to the boxing ring that gave Rocky its story.
The collection is not the only Rocky project moving on its anniversary timeline. Filmmaker Robert Bruzio, a longtime collaborator of Rocky director John G. Avildsen, is developing a new Rocky documentary alongside Sylvester Stallone and Balboa Productions, with Rivoli involved as well. WWD
For fans, the collection lands the film's visual legacy on wearable pieces rather than posters or prints. The use of Rivoli's authorised artwork means the designs draw from imagery the franchise itself has sanctioned — not fan interpretations or unofficial tributes. And the documentary, still in development, signals that the 50th-anniversary moment for Rocky is stretching well beyond a single capsule of clothing.
