Runway Photos by Getty Images/Gareth Cattermole
Front Row & VIPs Photos by Kevin Mazur
For Autumn/Winter 2015, Kanye West and adidas Originals unveil a bold new proposition: YEEZY SEASON 1, a collection of apparel and footwear that cherishes universality and timelessness. Described by West as the world’s first “solutions-based” clothing line, the individual pieces define a style that matches the relentless pace of contemporary lives. “I don’t want the clothes to be the life,” he says. “I want the clothes to help the life.”
Presented during New York Fashion Week just before All-Star Weekend, the show was conceptualized by West in close collaboration with renowned contemporary artist Vanessa Beecroft.Upon entering the venue, guests were lead into a dimly lit room, where 9 rows of models stood stoic. As lights turned on with blinding intensity, each row of models progressed forward, lending the audience a full view of the clothes. Guests including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian West, Rihanna, Drake, Justin Bieber, P. Diddy, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, George Condo, Anna Wintour, Spike Jonze, Russell Simmons, Big Sean, Pete Wentz, Pusha T, A$AP Ferg, Steven Klein, 2Chainz, Cassie, Alexander Wang, Kehinde Wiley, Tom Sachs, Gia Coppola, Travis Scott, A-Trak, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Hailey Baldwin, and adidas athletes John Wall and Von Miller. “Wolves” an unreleased track from West’s forthcoming studio album embodied the pinnacle of this epic performance.”
With this collection, West’s goal is to absolve consumers of dressing’s daily stress by creating a line of high-quality essentials that can be freely combined in infinite ways—“like Legos,” he says. For the designer this means stripped-down, comfortable, and unpretentious clothes for a “modern jet-set couple,” pieces to be worn from the gym to the office to a meeting to the airport and everywhere in between. “I wanted something that felt like New York or Paris or Tokyo or Santa Barbara or Chicago—a worldliness and an ease.”
West defines a silhouette of considered volume—billowing and oversize on top, tight and trim around the bottom—based largely on his personal sense of style. A study in contrasts like street-luxury and vintage-new, the clothing shapes a new modern wardrobe. For men, this includes MA-2 bombers with oversize flap pockets; washed cotton collarless blouson jackets; oversize sweats with distressed edges and worn, puckered hems; and perfect T-shirts in tones of camel, olive, blue-gray, and camouflage. Each piece is intended to be worn by any sex.
The women’s collection, however, clearly and intentionally shapes a feminine silhouette with high-waist, knee-length, body-conscious knit skirts; floor-grazing cotton tube dresses; tightly woven running tees; and stunning crop tops ingeniously crafted from adidas socks. “This is a challenge to where fashion is currently—a new feminine ideal,” West says, explaining the curve-hugging pieces.
For footwear, West and adidas presented further breakthroughs following the highly anticipated launch of the YEEZY Boost. Newly revealed shoes included woven lo-top sneakers for men and suede stilettos and platform snow boots for women—developed in close tandem with adidas’ products team. The designer expresses his gratitude to adidas for its unparalleled technical prowess. He says, “They are a super innovative company that gives artists a platform to create and dream.”
Beecroft has shown internationally since 1993. She is noted for her innovative performances and unconventional approach to the creation of images and communication. Her works reside in the gap between art and life. Though her live events are recorded through photography and film, her conceptual approach is most similar to the creation of a live painting.
Beecroft’s work can be found in numerous public and private collections around the world, including the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Arts, Rome, Italy (2014); Colony Club, New York, NY (2014); Art Basel, Miami, Florida, USA (2013); Galleria Lia Rumma, Milan, Italy (2011); MMK, Frankfurt, Germany (2010); Mercato Ittico, Naples, Italy (2010); PAC, Milan, Italy (2009); Spasimo, Palermo, Italy (2008); Pescheria di Rialto, Venice, Italy (2007); Gana Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea (2007); The National Gallery, London, UK (2006); Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin, Germany (2005); Kunsthalle Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany (2004); Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Turin, Italy (2003); Bienal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (2002); Palazzo Ducale, Genoa, Italy (2001); Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA (1998); MoMa P.S.1, Long Island City, New York, USA (1994).
“Wolves” by Kanye West. Co-writers: Cashmere Cat, Vic Mensa, Sia, Mike Dean, Noah Goldstein. Producers: Kanye West, Cashmere Cat, Mike Dean, Noah Goldstein, Plain Pat. Side artists: Vic Mensa, Sia