Kanye West Returns to the Runway for Yeezy Season 8
It’s a family affair for the Wests.
Kanye West made his return to the runway with the Yeezy Season 8 collection, bringing the show back to Paris Fashion Week. As one might expect from Ye, the show was replete with over-the-top theatrics like an invitation with fake rattlesnake eggs and sage sticks as gifts, and getting his daughter North West to close the show—marking her rap debut.
With Yeezy Season 8, Kanye brought on a whole new identity, with experimental sartorial choices that played with new shapes and silhouettes, elevating the Yeezy label from a “street” brand to a runway-worthy fashion label. In Kanye’s own words, “no more t-shirts”.
Muslin, wadded wool, fleece. Cosiness is still the name of the game when it comes to the Yeezy aesthetic. Inspired by the sheep on his Wyoming ranch and pigmented in muted, earth-tone palettes, those padded jackets and trousers as seen on the runway will keep you comfy in fall. In addition to these snuggly pieces, the other half of the collection is quintessentially Kim, Kanye’s wife and biggest proponent and model for the Yeezy athleisure line.
This new visual identity stems from Kanye’s desire to stray away from making “merch” and to push his own creative vision when it comes to fashion. Making changes in his own personal life, as well as his Sunday Service and spirituality, all have contributed to his fashion ‘awakening’ of some sort.
Perhaps the most outlandish pieces of the collection come from the footwear line, with netizens drawing comparisons with hotel slippers and Walmart boots. Despite the outré footwear choices, there is a sense of community and inclusivity in Kanye’s clothing line, unlike certain pieces from high fashion brands that look absolutely unwearable off the runway. While prices are yet to be decided, Kanye is right on track in living up to his promise of making Yeezy available to the masses.
Image Credits: yeezy.com