The Rise And Rise Of Kanye West’s Influence On Fashion
In 2014 Kanye West famously criticised the fashion industry for discriminating against him for being famous and black. “Cause you know damn well there aren’t no black guys or celebrities making no Louis Vuitton nothing,” he announced, mid-performance at London’s Wireless festival. Less than four years later, partly as a result of West’s influence, the fashion landscape seems to have significantly shifted. Last week his friend and collaborator Virgil Abloh was appointed men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton, in one of the most dramatic shake-ups in recent menswear history. Two weeks ago UK streetwear label A Cold Wall – founded by Abloh’s former creative consultant, Samuel Ross – was announced as a finalist (and favourite to win) in the prestigious LVMH prize for new talent. Elsewhere West’s former art director Heron Preston has collaborated with Nasa for autumn/winter 2018 and launched his first womenswear line. And Matthew Williams of Alyx Studios, who was part of the rapper’s design agency, Donda, has also become a rising star. Read more at The Guardian.
