Rapper-cum-designer Kanye West began his third foray into the fashion world–this time during New York Fashion Week in concert with Adidas Originals–with a self-justifying peroration for artistic freedom: “Why is he still trying?…We’re constantly growing, we’re constantly making mistakes, we’re constantly trying to express ourselves and trying to actualize our dreams. I want to create something better for you. We have been limited. It’s bigger than who I am in this, you know, in my presence living. It’s about, you know, when I was on earth, what did I do to help? I want people to think more—I want people to feel like it’s okay to create and follow what their dreams are, and not feel boxed in. I want people to feel like awesome is possible. There’s a lack of creativity in every field ’cause people are afraid. As an artist, and in this world, we can do whatever we want.”
That said, critics were better disposed toward this collection than the last several, hailing West for using non-traditional models of various sizes, shapes, and hues and for having smart accessories for his spare, mannequin doll-like, hobo designs. But seriously, do West’s designs have a chance-in-hell of being worn outside the NYC runway? He believes so, calling them fitted for life. On the whole, though, there’s something precious about this collection of West’s that makes it an irritating symbol of West’s grandiosity. But the reviews are in, and West looks to have a better chance at this mid-career move than expected. He has not quite made it, but he doesn’t have to prove himself to his fashion-world haters through epic rants. It’s time to rewrite “Touch the Sky”—at least this stanza:
Back when Gucci was the shit to rock,
Back when Slick Rick got the shit to pop,
I’d do anything to say “I got it”
