Kanye West | A Style Evolution
Written by
Alice Casely-Hayford
Posted
20/01/2013
In just over a decade, Kanye West has gone from relatively unknown producer, seemingly with minimal sartorial savviness, to hugely influential and inspiring musician who rewrites the conventional male dress code. He makes up celebrity power couple Kimye with Kim Kardashian, is an expectant father, the best friend and collaborator of Jay Z and a true fashion aficionado. Although he may have initially emerged with a wardrobe of questionable sweaters and an unchallenging urban preppy style, Kanye has since graduated to something more directional, always pulling off his considered looks with remarkable confidence and execution.
Kanye West | A Style Evolution
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Kanye at the Artist Empowerment Coalition Grammy Sunday Brunch February 2003 in NYC.
Here Kanye sports a look typical of an aspiring hip-hop music mogul in baggy low jeans, white trainers, hat, oversized tee and bomber jacket. The bomber is Ralph Lauren Polo and marks the beginning of Kanye’s dedicated preppy period.1 of 17 -
Kanye West at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2004
Nearly a year to the day, Kanye again attended the Grammys, but this time decked out in a dusky pink blazer, chinos, white collar blue shirt and blue tie. He was accompanied by his mascot ‘Dropout Bear’, the motif for his just released debut album ‘College Dropout’.2 of 17 -
Kanye West and Drop-Out Bear at MTV's TRL in February 2004
Two days later Kanye attended the MTV TRL studios in Times Square. The Kanye of this ‘style era’ was defined by his devotion to two designer labels; Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton. In his song Last Call, West refers to himself as the "Louis Vuitton Don". Accordingly, he wore a monogrammed backpack in most of his live performances and music videos, as seen here. Under the LV bag was usually Ralph Lauren, recognizably with popped-collar Polo shirts and anything emblazoned with the ‘Polo Bear’.3 of 17 -
Kanye West Live in Concert in May 2004
Again the rapper can be seen with the bear emblazoned on his clothes. The black hoodie is accessorized with gold chains, rings and a Rolex. Swagalicious.4 of 17 -
Kanye West during the MTV EMAs 2004 in Rome, Italy
Affirming his devotion to the preppy style, at the 2004 EMAs Kanye wore a pink and brown Argyle jumper, brown shirt, baby pink chinos and white trainers accessorized with medallions.5 of 17 -
Kanye during 3rd Annual Artist Empowerment Coalition Pre-GRAMMY Brunch in Feb 2005
Once again Kanye poses in pink with a pink polo neck, velvet blazer and tinted shades for this retro look, as he completes his second album ‘Late Registration’.6 of 17 -
Kanye West performs Jesus Walks at the Grammy Awards 2005
Arguably one of Kanye's most memorable performances, the rapper was joined on stage by Mavis Staples, John Legend and the Blind Boys of Alabama. West took us to Sunday service, then died in the arms of a silhouetted woman and attended his own funeral before ascending to heaven in a white suit with enormous angel wings. How do you top that? Only Kanye can. Moments later, his College Dropout won Best Rap Album, with West delivering a remarkably self-assured acceptance speech culminating with, "A lot of people were wondering what I was going to do if I didn't win anything tonight ... I guess we'll never know." That night he scooped 3 Grammys.7 of 17 -
Kanye West performs at the Concert for Diana at Wembley in July 2007
At the concert commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, Kanye West wore a cream suit, red tie and Alain Mikli sunglasses to perform a medley of his biggest hits including Diamonds Are Forever and new Daft Punk sampled single Stronger. During his electro experimentation period, West mixed up street-wear brands like Bathing Ape with luxury labels like Dior. The Alain Mikli shutter shades he always wore during this time featured first in the groundbreaking Stronger video, spawning a million imitations.8 of 17 -
Kanye West performs on stage at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in September
During the promo tour for My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy, West put on a series of shows in eye-catching ensembles, most notably at 2010's MTV VMAs, where he performed a poignant version of Runaway in a head-to-toe infrared suit and matching Louis Vuitton sneakers. In 2010 Yeezy collaborated with Louis Vuitton, designing his own Don sneakers (which he's wearing here), and also took on an internship with Fendi in Rome.9 of 17 -
Kanye West performs at Coachella 2011
Characteristic of his attraction to controversy, West performed at the California music festival in a women’s blouse from Parisian label Celine. Some sneered and made juvenile "cross-dresser" jeers, but the fashion cognoscenti understood the brilliance of this sartorial decision. Not only did he pull off the look with aplomb but it also cemented his status as a fashion frontrunner. Besides West had already lyrically immortalised Celine’s Phoebe Philo in his song Dark Fantasy and presented her with a CFDA award.10 of 17 -
Kanye West attends the Louis Vuitton Menswear SS12 show in Paris
Having debuted his own womenswear collection in October 2011 Kanye rocked up to the front row of the Louis Vuitton SS12 menswear in a t-shirt and leather trousers. Though some hoped that he might wear the eagerly awaited Nike Air Yeezy 2 trainers for his next public outing, West instead showed his allegiance to the French fashion house by wearing Louis Vuitton Patchwork Dons from his 2009 collaboration.11 of 17 -
Kanye West performs at the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
November 2011 was a major fashion month for Kanye. First he rocked a Givenchy leather skirt at his Madison Square Garden show, then he gave a front row seat to someone for wearing Jeremy Scott x Adidas trainers and following that he went and wore the Versace x H&M bomber for his performance at the Victoria's Secret show with Jigga. He teamed the jacket with leather trousers (again) and his unreleased Air Yeezy 2 trainers. Big look for a BIG performance.12 of 17 -
Kanye West performs on 'Watch The Throne' tour in November 2011
Givenchy designer Ricardo Tisci art directed the Watch the Throne Jay Z and Kanye album, creating an iconography for the album sleeve and tour. Jay and Ye took to the stage in black Tisci designed Givenchy T-shirts with artwork from Watch the Throne across the chest, Givenchy stars along the collar and KW and JZ initials monogrammed on the sleeve. Ball so hard.13 of 17 -
Kanye West attends the Givenchy Menswear AW12 show in Paris January 2012
In between recording upcoming G.O.O.D. Music album in London with Pusha T, Big Sean, Frank Ocean to name a few, Kanye popped into Paris Fashion Week. The rapper, designer and fashion aficionado sat front row at the Givenchy Menswear AW13 show, sporting a beard, black hoodie, leather pants (yes again), layered sweatshirt and gold chains. West enjoyed the show next to friend and former Vogue Paris Editor-in-Chief, Carine Roitfeld.14 of 17 -
Kim Kardashian and Kayne West at the cinema in September 2012
Perhaps inspired by Yeezy's love of leather, Kim wore a leather skirt with her favourite peplum silhouette to join her new beau at the cinema. Yeezy wore his matching leather trousers with a simple grey tee and a mass of gold chains.15 of 17 -
Kanye West outside the Christian Dior SS13 in September
West attended Raf Simons' inaugural Christian Dior show in his now signature-look of head-to-toe black. The rapper smartened with a black blazer and added a pop of colour with his red high top trainers.16 of 17 -
Kanye West at the Maison Martin Margiela & H&M Global launch party in October
Yeezy turned up at the fashion party decked out entirely in Margiela for H&M, wearing a camel, double-breasted overcoat with inverted lapels, white jeans, and white shirt. At the star-studded event Kanye was by far the best dressed, as to be expected from a rapper who makes reference to Margiela in many of his songs.17 of 17
