Balenciaga condemns Kanye West's anti-Semitic remarks; terminates business relationship
by Ana Walia | Sat, 22 Oct 2022 12:44:51 GMT
Kanye West. Image Source: NY Times

Balenciaga takes a stand against Kanye West’s anti-semitic remarks.

Kanye West, who recently opened Balenciaga's runway show during Paris Fashion Week wearing what appeared to be battle gear, including one with a labeled mouthguard shielding his teeth, has gotten into some trouble with the fashion label.

Following several problematic statements in recent weeks, the French fashion label and its parent company, Kering, announced on Friday that they would be terminating their business relationship with musician and frequent collaborator Kanye West

Kanye West, now known as Ye, has a close relationship with Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga. With Demna and his brother, Guram Gvasalia, they were enlisted to consult Ye's Yeezy Season 1 line back in 2015, and the two creative types only have formed a relationship in the years since. Demna was the creative director for Ye's three Dondalistening parties in 2021, and by January of the following year, the duo had declared their doomed collaborative efforts: Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga.

Kering told Women's Wear Daily that Balenciaga no longer has any relationship with Kanye West and has no plans for future projects with him. Ye wore a long-sleeved shirt with the phrase "White Lives Matter" on it to his Yeezy Season 9 Paris Fashion Week show, which the Anti-Defamation League considers a "hate slogan."

Source: Buzzfeed

Despite the criticism, he defended his fashion choice on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight, saying he does certain things out of emotion and simply channels the energy. Kanye West stated that he only does what he feels is right and is dependent on gut reaction, a connection with God, and sheer brilliance. He also falsely claimed in an interview that has since been deleted that George Floyd was not murdered but rather killed by the drug fentanyl. George Floyd's family has filed a lawsuit in response to this claim.

According to the publication, Balenciaga has stripped away a page dedicated to its three Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga collaborations, which were introduced in January, from their social media handles and website. The products are also no longer available through online retailers. In September, Ye decided to end the two-year partnership between his Yeezy label and Gap. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the "Bound 2" rapper's lawyers informed Gap that YEEZY LLC was canceling their partnership in a letter accusing the retailer of breaching their agreement by failing to release apparel or open planned retail stores. 

Kanye West's multi-year collaboration with Adidas, which began in 2016, is also being reviewed following a disagreement between himself and the brand, which began with the release of the Adilette 22 sandals, which bear the Adidas logo but a resemblance to West's Yeezy slides. Kanye West has repeatedly called out Adidas executives and the brand on social media, but Adidas has yet to respond.

Balenciaga cut ties with long time collaborator Ye. Image Source: LA Times 

Balenciaga was also heavily woven into Kanye West's connection with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, who has since become one of the brand's poster girls both on and off the runway thanks to the producer's connections. A source shared that Kim Kardashian appreciates the fact that Kanye West introduced her to the label as well as to the creative director of the brand, Demna. With her efforts and professionalism Kim was able to form a good and positive relationship between her and Balenciaga even though Kanye surely made things easy fro them. The information was received following the beauty mogul's appearance at the 2021 Met Gala, where she wore a headline-making, full-body stocking designed by Gvasalia.

The source said at the time that Kim Kardashian's look is like a new subculture and fashion statement adding that there is no logo or face, but everyone recognizes her. The insider said that Kanye West gave her the confidence to push the boundaries of creativity and people's imaginations through art. It's the pinnacle of assurance.

Kanye West has not yet responded to the situation.


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