Complex Talks to Kanye West about Returning to the Runway, Breaking Boundaries, and What's Next

What was going through your head when you came out and took a bow on [following the adidas show]?

I just felt that my life was dependent on the success of this show. I set myself up to win or fail. To win or fail. And people were just waiting. “Is he gonna do it?” It was almost like the Super Bowl of culture in a way. It was like a David Blaine move in some ways. Are the sharks gonna eat me alive? It was, “Will he be eaten by the shark tank, or will he survive? Can he hold his breath for this long?” The three on the back of the Tyvek jacket invites was about the three years that I had been off the runway. And I had to hold my breath for that long.

But going back to the established dudes, you’re friends with a lot of fashion designers, like Riccardo Tisci, Alexander Wang, Olivier Rousteing… Have they given you any feedback on the collection?

They support me one hundred percent. They sent flowers, emails, and just love. They know I’m in that design office. They know I’m there giving an opinion. They know the concept of celebrity designer is so far out the window.

I feel like I’m Eminem, you know? You don’t think “white rapper.” You just think Eminem. You don’t think celebrity designer, straight designer, black designer, all these types of things that kind of held me back conceptually in being accepted as a designer. You just think of those words. But when those moon boots come out, you put them on your feet and just swag out and go somewhere with your friends, those words don’t matter.

I’m just happy that I was able to apply the mentality and passion that brought the College Dropout into existence. Now, I may finally have enough of a point of view and understanding to apply and create. Enough of a vision to make. There’s so many far more talented designers but I just have a perspective and a heart. And I’m gonna give all the heart and perspective that I can.

So what’s next?

More dope shit.

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