Kanye West's partnership with Balenciaga has come to an end. Kering, the owner business of the French fashion brand, has declared that it would no longer collaborate on projects with Ye as a result of his contentious public statements.
“Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist," Kering explained in a statement to Women's Wear Daily.
Ye seems to have had a long relation with Balenciaga. He actually walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week during the designer's summer 2023 show. Balenciaga's website has deleted a photograph of him.
Balenciaga artistic director Demna partnered up with Ye previously this year on his Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga line, and Demna also served as creative director for his Donda 2 performances. Balenciaga is connected to West's ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, who has appeared in the designer's ads.
Although no explanation was given, the announcement follows the rapper's anti-Semitic remarks, which included threats against Jewish people. Following his suspension from Instagram and Twitter, he revealed plans to purchase the conservative social media platform Parler.
He is also facing flak for wearing a "White Lives Matter" shirt to Paris Fashion Week and making inflammatory statements on George Floyd's death, which has caused Floyd's family to file a $250 million lawsuit.
Ye ended his connection with Gap last month, while his multibillion-dollar contract with Adidas is still "under review."