Kanye West has already branded himself as an avant-garde producer and rapper, grandiose media persona and imaginative storyteller and fashion fiend. And now the G.O.O.D. music chief is attempting to brand himself as a designer and is reportedly working on a high-end fashion line in Paris.
According to an unnamed source for the U.K.’s The Telegraph, West is currently working from a studio in the center of Paris, crafting a collection that will cater to both men and women.
And although West never studied fashion design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art in London, as was reported by The Sun earlier this year, “The Louis Vuitton Don” has surely been immersing himself in the world of fashion in preparation for the new line.
The Chicago rhymer has been spotted in the front rows of several high-end shows for legendary designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander Wang and Vivienne Westwood. West is rumored to be presenting Céline designer Phoebe Philo (whom he name-dropped in the song “Dark Fantasy” before eventually wearing one of her womenswear blouses to perform at Coachella) with an award at the CFDAs on June 6.
This isn’t the first time West has attempted make a mark in the fashion world. Last month, West teamed up with M/M Paris and launched a limited edition scarf collection, inspired by the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album cover artwork from painter George Condo. In 2009, West designed a range of casual shoes for the Louis Vuitton and undertook an internship at Fendi.
The rapper previously attempted to launch a fashion line, Pastelle, before it folded in 2009. West’s previous failure left him notably reluctant to try his hand at fashion again, telling Elle magazine last year, “’Did you not see the Lindsay [Lohan] and Ungaro collection? That was 9/11 for celebrities doing fashion. After that I thought: ‘Well I can’t do a line now.’ ”
There’s no word yet on when West’s untitled line will premiere, but it’s expected that the aspiring designer will throw a presentation-style show in September.
–nicholas robinson
