Inside the Yeezy Show: Kanye West Is Back on the Runway
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Gilbert Flores/Getty Images
Love him or loathe him, Kanye West knows how to get the fashion world talking. On November 4, the rapper and designer, now known as Ye, returned to the runway with Yeezy Season 01, staged at the brand's new Droam 1 flagship on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. It was Yeezy's first major runway presentation since its headline-making Season 9 show in Paris in 2022. And if you were expecting a traditional runway, well, this is Yeezy we're talking about.
Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Who Needs a Runway Anyway? There was no conventional catwalk in sight. Instead, models circled a towering white mound inside an almost entirely ivory-colored space. Very futuristic art installation meets fashion show, with a little science-fiction drama thrown in, with the clothes staying firmly in their Yeezy comfort zone. Oversized silhouettes, leather outerwear, fitted bodysuits, relaxed separates, and statement boots made their way around the installation, with the color palette leaning heavily into muted neutrals and darker shades, of course. The collection revisited the minimalist, utilitarian aesthetic that has long defined Yeezy.
Naturally, the fashion wasn't the only thing drawing attention. The soundtrack was courtesy of unreleased Ye, providing another distinctly Yeezy touch to the evening. Kid Cudi, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, A$AP Nast and designer Jerry Lorenzo were among the reported attendees, while rapper Nettspend appeared on the runway. Ye's wife, Bianca Censori, also attended in a plunging, sand-colored catsuit with matching statement boots. And since being fashion-forward runs in the family, Ye brought along his four children with Kim Kardashian: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. North made an appearance with her signature blue hair, while her younger siblings kept things coordinated in neutral Yeezy-inspired ensembles.
Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
Photo Credit: WWD
Photo Credit: WWD
Of course, Yeezy's return comes with plenty of history. The brand's last major runway presentation in October 2022 sparked controversy after Ye featured clothing bearing the phrase "White Lives Matter." His subsequent antisemitic remarks led Adidas to end its partnership with Yeezy, followed by the loss of other major business relationships. Ye has since publicly apologized for his antisemitic statements.
Whether the fashion industry is ready to embrace Yeezy again is another question entirely. But one thing's certain: Kanye West has returned, and beige, apparently, is still very much in business.