Kanye West, known for having an interest in fashion, had been talking about starting his own fashion line for years, and in 2009 he attempted it with Pastelle.
But West’s clothing business never had a fighting chance: Two days after photos of his fashion line were posted on the Internet, the business folded. Shortly before, West’s reputation took a hit after he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, declaring that another artist should have won. Many speculate that this stunt contributed to the fashion line’s demise.
Kanye West has officially arrived. Yeezy was spotted leaving the Gare du Nord train station in Paris heading to... well... we don't know where, but we can probably guess it's to a secret studio (or fashion show location!) to work on his highly-anticipated Paris Fashion Week debut collection. For an unveiling that's happening in less than 24 hours, he's looking pretty chill in his bright red blazer, heather gray tee, layered necklaces, black skinny jeans, and high-top sneakers with a plaid shirt tied around his waist (that lends an overall kilt-like appearance that we find to be kinda awesome).
But... who's that dude in the background doing a KILLER yawning photobomb? Well, it's Chris Julian, co-founder of Las Vegas vintage streetwear boutique Fruition (they have an in-house line as well), a spot that Kanye and co. have been super supportive of FOR YEARS. At one point, Chris Julian had been rumored to be consulting for Kanye's now defunct Pastelle sportswear line, talk that was further fueled by Julian showing up at Fashion's Night Out in one of the VERY FEW varsity jackets that the brand produced.
The two were spotted on FreshnessMag sitting side-by-side (GOOD GRACIOUS, THE HOT, SOUL-SEARING ENVY!!!) with message from Chris saying only, "Finishing the collection, look out Saturday." CANNOT WAIT.
This is going to be insufferable. I'd expected something silly to come out of Kanye West's foray into womenswear, but I might not be able to deal with the actual collection when it shows in Paris on Saturday, and I'm dreading the ensuring media response.
Rolling Stone has a little bit of a preview of the rapper's much-hyped new line, and it's terrifying. Apart from simple council from Louise Wilson, the head of Central Saint Martins' fashion program (alma mater of Alexander McQueen, among others) and British designer Kate Eary, it's been suggested that the two fashion industry veterans are supervising a team of Central Saint Martins students responsible for sewing and constructing the collection. Kanye's put together a highly-skilled fashion battalion to make up for his own lack of sewing skills and design experience.
Expect the collection to "retail" at an intergalactic price and be so conceptual that it'll be almost impossible to reproduce, not to mention, wear (Kanye obviously wishes he were showing at couture week). Ok, I'm kind of excited. Also scared.
