KANYE WEST’S FASHION FANTASY

fashion NEWS

KANYE WEST’S FASHION FANTASY

3 Oct 2011
Comments: 1
9230 Views

We’ve been waiting with great anticipation for a glimpse of acclaimed hip-hop star and producer Kanye West’s spring 2012 womenswear collection. Of all the cities and events, he chose to launch at Paris Fashion Week this past Saturday at Lycée Henri-IV, under ultraviolet light and 45 minutes late with a front row studded with celebrities and fashion heavyweights.

When Kanye announced his desire to start a fashion line, critics was skeptical and Kanye later confirmed that he had help from Kim Jones, the Louis Vuitton menswear designer, British designer Louise Goldin and Louise Wilson of Central Saint Martins. But even so, it would appear that Kanye has been taking notes during his frequent fashion-show front-row appearances and his designs show the influence of designers such as Balmain with its edginess and Céline with its modern cool.

However, Asanda Sizani, our fashion editor, says, ‘The collection seemed like a random display of “What would Kanye wear?” or even “Kanye’s favourite things”. He loves leather pants, fur and exotic skin such as crocodile and snakeskin, and, of course, gold jewellery.’

A quick Google search revealed mixed reviews, from ‘rap with a capital-C’ (Telegraph) and ‘they are clothes for Kanye’s tribe, women who have to attend the Grammy Awards in statement making clothes that reveal a lot of skin’ (Forbes) to a more generous, ‘It would be a shame if this was the last we saw of Kanye West at fashion week. He has room to grow, knows how to put on a show and of course, the music was excellent.’ (Elle UK)