Yesterday, in New York’s famed venue, Madison Square Gardens, the multi-talented Kanye West debuted his new collection with Adidas, entitled “Yeezy Season 3”, with top stars in the crowds and on the catwalk – including supermodels, Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek and Liya Kebede.
The trio of models, who posed pre-show for a group selfie – were seen in black leotard ensembles crafted by Kanye, whose collection saw his signature slouchy and skin-tight clothes returned – this time, not just in nudes and khaki, but in colours of red, orange, deep brown and yellow, and with a sportier twist leading from strappy details and colour-blocking.
Naomi led the crowd’s attention though, with her powerful stance, and giving us all the sass she’s known for, despite Kanye’s list of demands as to what models could or could not be seen doing.
Despite the grande spectre that was the Kanye West show, there was an overriding, contrasting theme, with models lounging around under tents and draped rags, which seemed to create a nod to the plight of refugees and disenfranchisement. If that was the aim, nothing was spoken of it, though Kanye did take to the mic to ask;
“Did I deliver on my promise on that album? Tell me how y’all feel about the clothes this season.”
The event sold tickets from $135-$150, with mega stars in attendance for the giant fashion show/listening party, where ‘Ye also revealed his new album, The Life of Pablo. Stars included Kanye’s Kardashian relatives, who all wore custom designs by the rapper and partied to his new beats – Kim showing up in an ultra-blonde wig.
Mr West also took the chance to debut the video game he’s been working on, called “Only One” and inspired by his mum’s passing (see Kanye talk about it and debut the trailer, below). The game appeared on the monitors at the venue, with Kanye saying;
“I feel a lot of times I get misunderstood just as an artist. No one can tell you what field to stay in.
I just want to bring as much beauty to the world as possible.”
For all the split opinions sure to be had on his collection (and his album, and his video game), Kanye – as always – seems confident, telling the crowds;
“People do come to Madison Square Garden to see me play one-on-no-one.”
In fact, a reported 20 million people had logged into Tidal to view the showcase, causing the streaming service some issues, and many others attended the select cinema venues around the World that also streamed the show.
We at SPICE can’t deny the powerful display of models ‘stranded’ at Madison Square Garden, and – if the aim is highlight the impoverished (albeit via very expensive garments), that’s something certainly worthy of applause.
But whether or not you like the supposed message or the clothes in “Yeezy Season 3”, Kanye’s new album or the look of his new game “Only One”, there’s no avoiding the fact that he’s out here, changing the game with his series of talents – and there’s simply on ignoring the support Kanye West can gather, for any one or all of his mounting ventures.
Video & image source: Youtube.com, Dailymail.co.uk, Pausemag.co.uk, @Liyakebede, Metro.co.uk
