Kanye West debuted his much anticipated womenwear collection for the Spring Summer 2012 season yesterday in Paris to a bevy of celebrity guests, such as the Olsen twins, Terry Richardson, and Jaret Leto. Not to mention, the millions without an invite that kept a close eye out for any tweets with an yfrog or lockerz photo attachment. There was a great deal of anticipation riding on the heels of this show. Turbulent updates spread like wild fire across blogs since London Fashion Week and a constant stream of bludgeoning questions surrounding the mystery of his show.
The Kanye as designer play-by-play came into actualization when the models hit the runway in his premiere performance in the fashion arena – one that may be much more harsh than 20,000 screaming fans in Madison Square Garden. Nonetheless, a great casting of big models like Anja Rubik, Abbey Lee, Arizona Muse, Izabel Goulart, Chanel Iman and Karlie Kloss graced the runway in a pieces for the dw collection that fell quite a bit short. With poor execution in construction and a focus that seemed to be well, quite unfocused and fragmented – it was as if Mr. West’s debut collection was more of a duplicated greatest hits of his own favorite womenswear pieces from seasons past.
There were remnants of Christopher Kane in animal graphic hoodies, sprinkles of Celine in silk, color-blocked numbers and even a bit of cut-out bandage dresses from yesteryear. With the stakes so high, this showing could have been the unique opportunity for the musician to show the fashion community just how savvy he was about the subject matter he raps about in his Billboard-topping hits. Its one matter to be affectionate towards fashion and successful at picking out pieces for a personal wardrobe, but quite another dimension to enter the space as an artist in the fashion design medium.
There is no doubt that West was an easy target to criticize as by default, he is forced in to the confinement of the celebrity turned designer box. Yet, by the looks of the finishing and fit of his collection, perhaps St. Martin’s would have been a good avenue for him prior to releasing a full range line. Could this showing be an example to all the other troupes of starlets thinking of starting a ‘clothing line.’ High level of influence, money and power do not always give you a fool-proof product that will fly off the racks and into the closets of die-heard fans and girlfriends.
Kanye West is an incredibly entertaining celebrity but as for fashion design, he should leave that to his pal Phoebe Philo.
Resources:
Kanye West SS12 RTW
dw by Kanye West Fashion Week Invite