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Two looks shown at Kanye West’s fashion debut at Paris Fashion Week. |
The premiere of rap superstar Kanye West’s fashion line that has been rumored for months has finally come to fruition. The hip-hip dignitary turned fashion designer debuted his womenswear collection during Paris Fashion Week.
West, a front-row regular, presented runway pieces that drew inspiration from established designers whose shows he had frequented. The well-guarded collection turned out a mosh pit of hits, but also delivered several misses.
West’s offering of high-end streetwear equated to barely-there ensembles seen in hip-hop music videos. Models strolled the runway in leather skirts with thigh-high slits, cleavage and back bearing bodices, and skintight pants with sex appeal seeping out of zipper embellishments.
The collection was affixed to leather and amassed with fur. Jackets with motocross detailing and dresses with slashes and cuts-outs looked overpowering and ill fitting on a female frame.
West did triumph with his use of luxe fabrics, metallic embellishments, and color-blocking. In true superstar fashion, West captured modern glamour, with models decked out in striking jewelry. West incorporated his hip-hop style with additions like gold nameplate necklaces and a fox fur backpack.
Hints of Alexander Wang emerged in a quilted leather jacket with slits on the sleeves and Givenchy came to mind in a nude bondage dress.
There were luxury elements with a street edge that worked, like colorful slim leather pants, simple white dresses with racer back strips, hooded jackets made in a medley of crocodile skins, and shoes crafted by Giuseppe Zanotti.
In general, Mr. West’s creations presented entertainment rather than fashion as the main attraction.
The building blocks of the designs presented were lifted from the designers he holds in high esteem, many of whom were positioned in West’s usual front row seat.
