Rokit Vintage Brings 90s New York Style to Rent on Stage

The energy of New York’s East Village in the late 1980s and early 1990s is set to pulse through London’s West End once more, as Rent returns for its 30th anniversary. The Jonathan Larson musical, which follows a community of young artists navigating love, loss, and creativity, will play at the Tom Stoppard Theatre from 26 September 2026 to 13 February 2027. Starring Gaten Matarazzo, known for Stranger Things, the production promises to capture the raw, bohemian spirit that has made the show a cultural touchstone.

To ensure the visual authenticity of that era, the producers have enlisted British preloved retailer Rokit Vintage to supply original garments from the period. The collaboration, led by costume designer Gabriella Slade—whose credits include Six and The Cher Show—will see Rokit providing genuine vintage pieces that recreate the gritty, eclectic atmosphere of the East Village. Dr. Martens is also on board, supplying footwear that reinforces the show’s punk-inspired aesthetic.

A shared history of counterculture

Rokit’s involvement goes beyond a simple costume supply. Founded in 1986, the retailer emerged from the same countercultural currents that shaped the musical’s original setting. “Rokit opened in 1986 and the production’s setting closely aligns with our early days, connecting our shared audience — both drawn to counterculture, individuality and the freedom of self-expression through alternative style,” said Eibhleann McMahon, creative director at Rokit. That alignment makes the partnership feel less like a licensing deal and more like a natural coming-together of like-minded tribes.

Dressing a generation of artists

The costumes will draw on the signatures of the era: distressed leather jackets, flannel shirts, band T-shirts, and oversized knitwear. These pieces do more than dress the cast; they help transport audiences to a specific time and place, where self-expression was a lifeline. By using original vintage garments rather than reproductions, the production aims to infuse every scene with the texture and history of the late 80s and early 90s. Slade’s expertise in crafting iconic stage looks ensures that the authenticity of the clothing will shine under the lights.

A Rent-inspired edit for your wardrobe

For those who want to bring a piece of that East Village attitude into their own lives, Rokit has launched an online Rent-inspired vintage edit. The collection features leather jackets, flannel shirts, band T-shirts, and oversized knitwear, allowing fans to shop the look and embrace the same spirit of individuality that defines both the musical and the retailer. It’s a chance to own a slice of the era that continues to inspire fashion today.

Why vintage matters on stage and off

Using genuine vintage clothing on stage is a powerful choice. It grounds the performance in reality, offering audiences a tangible connection to the past. For Rent, a show about community, resistance, and living authentically, the worn-in quality of second-hand garments speaks volumes. Each piece carries its own story, much like the characters themselves. Off stage, choosing vintage is a way to reject fast fashion and embrace sustainability, a value that resonates just as strongly now as it did in the 1990s.

What to expect from the production

With Gaten Matarazzo leading the cast and the combined creative forces of Rokit and Dr. Martens, this revival promises to be a visual and emotional feast. The Tom Stoppard Theatre will become a time capsule, capturing the essence of a New York that was both harsh and hopeful. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the musical or discovering it for the first time, the 30th-anniversary run offers a chance to see Rent as it was meant to be seen: raw, real, and dressed in the clothes of its time.

Tickets are on sale now for the limited season. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the music, the message, and the fashion that defined a generation.