How Kanye West Inspired Top Fashion Designers with His Fashion Influence
Kanye West is a cultural phenomenon, not just in the world of music, but in the fashion industry as well.
Over the years, Kanye has transcended his status as a rapper to become a true style icon and an influencer in the realm of fashion.
His ability to blend streetwear with high-end luxury, while embracing cutting-edge designs and breaking traditional fashion rules, has inspired some of the top designers in the world.
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Through his creative agency, Donda, and his own brand YEEZY, Kanye has had a profound impact on the fashion landscape.
This article explores the top fashion designers who have been heavily influenced by Kanye West and how he shaped their careers and designs.
1. Virgil Abloh – Off-White + Louis Vuitton
Virgil Abloh’s career is closely tied to Kanye West, both personally and professionally. Abloh first joined Kanye’s team in 2010 as the creative director of Kanye's creative agency, Donda.
He contributed to some of Kanye’s most iconic projects, including album art direction for "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", "Watch the Throne", and "Yeezus".
Abloh’s vision and innovation caught the attention of the fashion world, and in 2013, he founded his own brand, Off-White, which quickly became a staple in luxury streetwear.
Abloh’s appointment as the artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear in 2018 was a historic moment.
Not only did it make Abloh the first African-American to hold such a prestigious position at the French fashion house, but it also proved that Kanye’s influence had transcended the boundaries of music and into global fashion, leaving a lasting legacy.
2. Matthew Williams – Givenchy
Matthew Williams' journey into the fashion industry was significantly shaped by Kanye West. Williams first caught Kanye’s attention in 2008, when he designed a jacket for West’s Grammy Awards performance with Daft Punk.
The jacket featured embedded LEDs, demonstrating Williams’ innovative approach to design. This creativity led Williams to become part of Kanye’s creative circle.
In the years that followed, Williams worked with Kanye on various projects, including art direction for West’s fashion brand Pastelle and the creative content company DONDA.
In 2020, Williams was appointed the creative director for Givenchy, a prestigious role that was influenced by his work alongside Kanye, who helped elevate his visibility in the fashion world.
3. Jerry Lorenzo – Fear of God
Jerry Lorenzo, the designer behind the luxury streetwear brand Fear of God, has been heavily influenced by Kanye West.
Lorenzo launched Fear of God in 2013, and it didn’t take long for Kanye to recognize his potential. Kanye was particularly impressed with the brand’s long, oversized T-shirts, which were part of its initial offerings.
The two soon collaborated, with Kanye wearing Fear of God pieces, helping to boost the brand's visibility and recognition.
Lorenzo has publicly credited Kanye for his role in his rise to fame, noting that Kanye’s endorsement and influence played a major part in his success. Today, Fear of God is a globally recognized brand, and Lorenzo continues to make waves in the fashion industry.
4. Justin Saunders – JJJound
Justin Saunders, the founder of the minimalist streetwear brand JJJound, is another designer influenced by Kanye. Saunders was part of the "Been Trill" collective, a group that worked with Kanye during his "Yeezus" tour in 2014.
The collective produced exclusive merchandise for the tour, which led to Saunders gaining recognition in the fashion world.
JJJound, Saunders’ own brand, is known for its understated designs that draw inspiration from vintage aesthetics, much like Kanye’s own approach to modern fashion.
Saunders has leveraged Kanye’s influence to build JJJound into a respected name in the streetwear scene.
5. Tremaine Emory – Denim Tears & Supreme
Tremaine Emory is another designer who has been deeply influenced by Kanye West. As the founder of Denim Tears and the creative director for Supreme, Emory has used his platform to create collections that reflect Kanye's blending of street culture and luxury fashion.
Emory was part of Kanye's creative team and worked alongside other notable figures like Virgil Abloh and Matthew Williams.
His designs, which often incorporate messages of cultural significance, have made waves in the fashion community.
Emory’s role in Kanye’s creative circle has played a major part in his rise, and his work at Denim Tears has helped him gain a following for his bold approach to streetwear, making him a standout figure in the industry.
6. Heron Preston – Heron Preston
Heron Preston is a designer who has closely worked with Kanye in various capacities.
Like Virgil Abloh, Preston was part of the "Been Trill" collective, and the group played a key role in the creation of Kanye’s "Yeezus" tour merchandise.
Preston’s designs, which blend industrial aesthetics with streetwear, share a similarity with Kanye’s YEEZY line, particularly in their use of bold graphics and unique silhouettes.
Preston’s brand, also called Heron Preston, has become known for its streetwear sensibility combined with high-end influences. Kanye’s support and mentorship have been key to Preston’s success in the fashion world.
7. Riccardo Tisci – Burberry
Riccardo Tisci, the former creative director of Givenchy and now at Burberry, is another designer whose work has been influenced by Kanye West.
Tisci and West have shared a longstanding professional relationship, with Kanye often wearing Tisci’s designs and supporting his work.
Tisci’s edgy, street-infused designs align with Kanye’s own approach to blending high fashion with street culture.
Kanye’s endorsement of Tisci’s work helped raise the designer’s profile, and Tisci’s aesthetic continues to reflect the influence of the modern fashion trailblazer.
8. Alyx (Matthew Williams’ Own Label)
Before taking the helm of Givenchy, Matthew Williams made waves with his own brand, Alyx. Known for its bold and innovative designs, Alyx reflects Williams’ unique approach to fashion, one that was influenced by his time working with Kanye.
The brand blends streetwear with high fashion, echoing Kanye’s own vision for the future of modern style.
With Williams’ departure from Kanye’s team, Alyx has continued to thrive, drawing on the creative foundations laid by Kanye’s guidance.
Kanye West’s influence on the fashion industry is profound and wide-reaching.
His unique ability to merge luxury with streetwear has inspired a new generation of designers who have used his approach to shape their own fashion brands.
From Virgil Abloh’s meteoric rise with Off-White and his appointment at Louis Vuitton to Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God and Matthew Williams' leadership at Givenchy, Kanye has played a pivotal role in the careers of many top designers.
His forward-thinking vision and the opportunities he’s created for these designers have forever changed the fashion landscape, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in both the music and fashion industries.