Kanye West responds to ‘Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week’ Creator, Fern Mallis via Twitter
New York fashion week has officially ended but not without a rant from Kanye West. While most of us were sleeping, West was tweeting at 5:00 a.m.
I have millions of ideas and I represent a new generation just trying to express themselves in a broken world.”
West, who presented his “Yeezy” collection to mark the beginning of fashion week last Thursday, took to Twitter to address his fashion critics; including former CFDA president and legendary founder of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis. West’s presentation with Adidas generated enormous publicity and write-ups about his star-studded front row that included; Beyonce, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Puffy, Anna Wintour, his wife Kim, and a crying baby North. West proudly described the highly tweeted and IG blasted collection as “the world’s first solutions-based clothing line”.
Despite the publicity and online excitement about West’s Yeezy collection, some fashion insiders seem to be unimpressed with the rapper’s collection. Earlier this week, Mallis who masterminded Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week into becoming the “Oscars of Fashion”, told the New York Post she was not a fan of West.
I’m kind of over Kanye. I mean I’m not a fan of his music, and the attitude and the agenda is not my style.”
Mallis’ opinion seemed to center more on West’s attitude and the hoopla surrounding him and Kim Kardashian who still seem to not be kindly received by some members of the very exclusive fashion crowd. Kanye decided to respond to Mallis and his critics at 5:00 a.m. West tweeted;
To Fern Mallis: I just want you to understand that attempting to do a clothing line has been very difficult, and I have encountered countless amounts of bigotry along the way.”
West went on to explain that the difficulties incurred were partially due to him being “famous” and that he did not receive the formal fashion training that many designers have. West tweeted;
I don’t call myself a designer as I was not allowed to go to Saint Martins.”
Fashion Publicist, Kelly Cutrone of People’s Revolution PR seems to have zero sympathy for West and his rationalization of fashion, education and bigotry. In an interview with People magazine earlier this week, Cutrone chimed in about the Yeezy collection, saying that West “is a joke as a fashion designer…he’s not legit.” Cutrone went on to say, “Didn’t he have his own line in London which was a disaster that he spent ten million dollars to do, that no one wore?” Cutrone’s criticism somehow streamlined to Sean “Puffy” Combs as well. Cutrone said,
Just because you’re a good rapper doesn’t mean you’re going to be a good fashion designer…Sean John is a really successful line but you know no one in the fashion industry is waking up and going “hey did you like trade up your Moncler for your Sean John?” People should stick to what they are good at it.”
Despite Cutrone’s comments, Combs is one of only two Black designers to ever win the prestigious CFDA Designer of the Year award for his highly acclaimed Sean John menswear collection in 2000. Other “celebrities turned designers” who have received acclaim for their fashion lines include Gwen Stefani, Victoria Beckham, and The Olsen Twins; who have all been warmly embraced for their collections.
Earlier this morning, Mallis clarified her comments with The New York Post saying…
I was just really responding to being over the frenzy that accompanies everything. I did not see
the collection. If he wants to design and do something, that’s great. The industry will respond accordingly. But there’s an attitude…it’s the aura that baffles me.” Mallis
Overall, Mallis is happy with the social media response to her comments and Kanye’s rant stating that “ninety-nine percent of the comments” have been in agreements with her. She tells the post people have said, “I’m glad somebody said something. I agree with you, I love you more for saying it.”
abesi manyando @abesipr
