All Falls Down

As redemption for the less-than-glorified Fall debut of his first line of women’s wear which received bitter reviews, Kanye West showcased his new Spring line for Paris’ fashion week and the feedback was slightly improved from the last. As comparisons from his last line are expected, rapper-gone-designer prohibited fashion critics from a preview of the line last-minute since he was “treated unfairly by the press last time.” He says, complaining that they simply didn’t understand. New York Times fashion critic Eric Wilson says before he was basically kicked out of the room that he suggested that it would be a great opportunity for West to explain his vision. His reply? “No, if they don’t understand it, they don’t understand it.” This sounds, appropriately enough, like Kanye.
The line was compared to Givenchy, which many would consider to be an extreme compliment. However, many thought it was far too similar. “This Kanye West collection was so Givenchy-esque that it’s embarrassing that Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci was an expected guest. Kanye, whatever your legal arrangement, cribbing is cribbing. Ten points off for copying the smart guy sitting next to you.” Says Christina Binkley, Wall Street Journal.
West’s new collection featuring an assortment of leather, skins and furs received harsh criticism for unfit tailoring and poor use of animal skin. Wilson wrote “When Joan Smalls closed the show, wearing an adhesive black gauze dress with a strip of alligator running up the front, it seemed as if Mr. West’s approach to making a dress was like a cook wrapping leftover turkey.” Sounds like a bit of backlash from the same reporter who was booted from the preview. If it were the only criticism, that might have been the case.
Better luck next time, Yeezy.