Is Kanye West A Poor Fashion Designer? Fashion Expert Kelly Cutrone Weighs In

Published: Saturday 21st Feb 2015 by David
kanye-west-that-grape-juice-2015-1991919

Central Saint Martins. The London College of Fashion. The Royal College of Art.

One might advise Kanye West to attend any one of the schools mentioned above this week, no doubt equipped to arm him with the skills fashion export Kelly Cutrone says he’ll need if he’s ever going to be taken seriously as a fashion designer.

For, after founding the fashion public relations firm ‘People’s Revolution’, the tastemaker has called West a “joke” when it comes to crafting clothes, billing his latest fashion venture a “disaster.”

Her words below…

The ‘America’s Next Top Model’ judge told ‘People Now‘:

I’m not into his fashion thing. I think he’s fine as a rapper. I think he’s a joke as a fashion designer.

Then, when quizzed on the shoes he designed for his clothing line, she hit him with

I mean, it’s not, he’s not legit. Have you seen the product? Didn’t he have his own line in London, which was a disaster that he spent $10 million to do, that no one wore?

West isn’t the first performer turned designer to see his work blasted by an expert in the field.

Back in 2014, the New York Times’ Vanessa Friedman questioned Beyonce’s status as a fashion icon when she learned the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were to open an exhibition celebrate the singer’s style.

Do you agree?

Posted under:

Comments 100

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

    I disagree. His fashion is…. unique. The joke is him saying Babidi was somewhat inspired by Kim. LOL. And what a happened to Brothel of Dereon? A flop like her struggle to top the Hot 100. #7YearsAgo #8YearsAgo #9YearsAgo Kiiiiii

    • Cough Cough February 21, 2015

      If by unique you mean Goodwill Second hand clothing. Store mixed with America Apparel and a touch of mad max then ok. If you lived in America or any progressive country you’d know this is done alreadyx

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        LOL

    • How Many Drinks February 21, 2015

      Ok your obsession with Beyonce is unhealthy now. You seem like one to jerk off in front of her poster in your moms basement type psycho.

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        o_O What?

      • Toohotfortv February 21, 2015

        I wouldn’t call kelly cutrone a fashion expert. I wouldn’t even call her person with exceptional personal style. She’s always been one to show disdain for the kanye west show; so this latest declaration is no different and not surprising. To be honest, when hearing the commentary from people like cutrone or fern mallis, it feels as if everything west previously said about the old guard of fashion rings true. I’ve had a genuine interest in fashion and style for quite some time now and I can say that while the concepts that kanye displayed were not wholly original, the execution was not bad by any means. When I see people who don’t have reference points in regards to what he’s doing, I feel no need to comment. but when I hear folks, who understand the art of it all, lambast his efforts it makes me question their motives. Anyone familiar with rick owens, Julius, damir doma and the list could go on and on should have nothing bad to say about kanye’ s aesthetic. And the idea that kanye should attend one of the major schools to learn the craft is kind of stupid. He’s not sitting behind a desk sketching. Tgj should be informed that kanye employed designers who worked/work with the houses of Maison Margiela and Celine to name a few. Nevermind his close ties to ricardo tisci, olivier rousteing, and virgil abloh. You people need to get it together. I really don’t want to have to open the library and learn you something.

  2. ~The Arcade~ February 21, 2015

    She’s absolutely right! That collection was a waste of fabric, I mean holes in jumpers, and sheer lycra- worn just like that… but I’m sure there will be many sheeps buying into this. smh!

  3. LB February 21, 2015

    Well I mean it is not anything innovative, it is actually quite shallow but hey, it could be worst, it could be House of Dereon, it can’t be as bad as that.

    For that reason alone, I say it is regular fashion, like from Urban planet or something.

    • Faf February 21, 2015

      I dont like his new collection but let’s not act like his sneakers don’t fly off shelves just like his APC capsule collection and the giuseppe cruel summers

  4. AnnaliseKeatingsNewWeave February 21, 2015

    The main issue for rappers trying to break it into fashion is social stigmas. Society wants to sensationalise Hip Hop and stop artists from promoting their fashion lines because of negative stereotypes.
    Interestingly, Kanye is probably one of the few mainstream rappers that isn’t repping the stereotypical attire (like Diddy’s Sean John or Pharrell’s B**), but he still is being held back because society doesn’t want the association of High fashion with Hip Hop culture. Its all bigotry, but hopefully Kanye can humble himself and build his fashion line from the ground up – That being said, Yeezy please improve your adidas line, because I’ve seen hobo’s dressed better than that.

  5. ENOUGH ONIKA (NEW & IMPROVED) February 21, 2015

    OMG..I’m so tired of Ms. Kenya Kartrashian and her drag queen line no one cares about. Will she just go away already until we need her to run on stage again at another award show…

    • Skyfall February 21, 2015

      As soon as you stop commenting on this site.

  6. I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

    Kanye is legendary. He has a lot of moments in terms of pop culture.

    • OMG Logic!!! February 21, 2015

      And all of them exist in your imagination not anywhere in reality.

  7. Cough Cough February 21, 2015

    Kanye needs to respect artistry and let real designers do their job. Stick to music

  8. How Many Drinks February 21, 2015

    I agree he is just pretentious and delusional.

  9. THE GREAT LACEFRONCE. February 21, 2015

    Lets be honest; his clothing line is trash looks like clothing for the homeless

    Almost as bad as the House of DEAD WRONG ghetto clothing line which is only sold at Citi Trends

    • Rosie February 21, 2015

      Wasn’t Rihanna’s (who you constantly defend) clothing line sold at River Island (local version of Topshop)?

      • THE GREAT LACEFRONCE. February 21, 2015

        Not the Lana Del Drunk stan in my reply section as usual.

        Rihanna for Rivers Island, the line that sold out twice? When will House of Dead Wrong sell besides off the clearance racks at Citi Trends?

  10. Rosie February 21, 2015

    Yeah, Kanye has ruined himself since keeping up with Kartrashian. I mean, his other line was trashed also, but I’m not just talking about fashion. Although a lot of people saw him as a d***** since before MBDTF, they still had sympathy for him back then with his mom dying and him obviously going through s***. But now? No one really takes him seriously anymore except for his delusional stans, not that many people in Hollywood wants to be associated with him anymore, and pretty much everyone sees him as an ass. Like yesterday, I haven’t seen him get dragged like that on EVERY site since 2009.

    • Faf February 21, 2015

      Kardashians have a million dollar empire

      That’s the best Trash EVA

      Makeup Haircare Clothing Their own stores on all coasts and Video games

      These local thots could never !

      • TRUTH SERUM February 21, 2015

        Good point. They’re very rich THOTS. Lol

      • Rosie February 21, 2015

        The Kartrashians are local to the US though. No one really cares about them in Europe and Asia still cares about Paris Hilton.

  11. Rosie February 21, 2015

    Also no one cares about House of Dereon anymore, please stop.

    • Faf February 21, 2015

      But Rosie Kim went to that ball in Vienna per the request of the honoree remember the n****** in Vienna thing

      • Faf February 21, 2015

        And her vogue Australia cover

  12. Stephy. February 21, 2015

    I love Beyonce.. But, House of Ghetto is brings back so many memories… I remember, all the banji ghetto broads rocking them tacky ass cloths in the mid-late 00s. LMAO!!!!

    • FutureCIARA February 21, 2015

      she should have taken tips from Jessica Simpsons fashion line… It made her a Billionaire!

  13. FutureCIARA February 21, 2015

    House of Dereon was such a bad move… You can tell Bey only gave that to her mom to fulfill a promise or something. And it gave Miss Tina something to fall back on in the event something ever happened career wise.

    I would have never attached my brand to that tacky local label

  14. TheElusiveLamb February 21, 2015

    I’ll put it like this… if Kanye is a good designer then:

    * Kim K didn’t become famous for a s** tape
    * MJ is alive
    * Ciara is actually relevant on the HOT 100

    • FutureCIARA February 21, 2015

      And Mariahs last album is Platinum…

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        DEATH!!!!

      • TheElusiveLamb February 21, 2015

        LMAOOOOO! +1 for you FC.

    • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

      Clearly you’ve never seen or touched a Kanye creation, not even his Nike sneakers. SMH

      • TheElusiveLamb February 21, 2015

        Why are you in my reply box? Go away f**. F*** you and that ugly ass Nike.

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        LOL. Damn ass Nigerian with no taste. Can you even afford Nike?

      • TheElusiveLamb February 21, 2015

        Yes I can. Thanks for your concern. Can you go a day without talking about Beyoncé?

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        Yes I can. LOL. Stupid ass lying Nigerian who’s always claiming to have been here and there and have bought this and that. Are you still going to see Mariah in Vegas? 😆 #ByeFelicia

      • TheElusiveLamb February 21, 2015

        Nigerian n*****? Is that all you can come up with? I see the African Education System FAILED you. Yes I’m going to see Vegas to see Mariah. Where will you be going? Back to the slums to lay down and talk to your pet roaches? Stay out of my reply box b****. #ByeFelicia

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        LOL. Soooo original. ♻♻♻ *Sigh* 😆

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        “I see the African Education System FAILED” ➡ DEATH!!!! That’s a good one. ♻ 😆

  15. Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

    Kanye needs to sit down! House of Dereon made plenty of coin and had an impact during the mid to late 2000’s. It was more of Bey’s mother’s line anyways. What about River FLOP? Is that still around or was it a canceled FLOP like “Styled to Rock” or forehead’s vogue cover issues?? Some Fashion KWEEN! 😀

    • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

      River Flop? What? River Island is a company and a brand. They collaborated with Rihanna and one of her collections sold out. LMAO. Again with your stupid ignorant comment. You should vote up that comment many times. It will help ease your conscious and substitute your lack of intelligence. :lol;

      • THE GREAT LACEFRONCE. February 21, 2015

        ^DEATH

        Cant expect much from a Flea hive! They dont check facts before commenting, Rihs collection sold out

        HOUSE OF DEAD WRONG sells on the clearance rack at your local Citi Trends where Slave_Hive probably works

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        Lmao B**** I know exactly what River FLOP is.A UK-based manufacturer of unremarkable basics. Only ONE of her collections sold out, out of how many? I remember the clothing being branded as “uninspiring” “cheap looking” and “slutty”. kii Everyone can’t afford to have their own line obviously.
        .

        DEATH @ you a b**** who doesn’t know how to comprehend simple receipts or know the difference between “proof” and “prove, to say I lack intelligence. Get a f***** life you lame scalped b**** and hop off the Hive’s d*** for once in your miserable lonely life.

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        @Nappy LaceFronce

        B**** stop acting like your Burger King Checks helped that cheap ass basic collection sell out. I’m sure it was her fans that actually have the coin to buy her albums and not $1 singles! I’m sure the average person would know what House of Dereon is over that cheap ass River Flop collection made out of $2 polyester

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        LOL. You didn’t. You can type “Death” or “LOL” all you want. You didn’t know it was a company. You though it was just a label, a Rihanna label. That’s why you said (in your words) “Is that still around or was it a canceled FLOP like “Styled to Rock” And who called a corporate company a flop? LMFAO #BeyhiveLogic 😆

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        Actually I did know what it was. When I said was it still around, I meant was it still selling, do people still give a f***. Have they offered her, her own line apart of the company. I knew the collection was apart of a company to help brand her “fashion”, Not her OWN original line. I haven’t heard much else about it. You had some trouble comprehending a simple receipt yesterday. I wouldn’t expect you to catch on! 😉

    • blue February 21, 2015

      both of rihannas fashion line for river island and armani sold out…
      Which is why she holds a position at puma

      and i will give you styled to rock, but that s*** was handled badly and never promoted and lets not forget pharrell was on that show weekly so nothing could save that baby

    • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

      Lies. That s*** was a flop from the jump. She tried and failed.

      • Keri Qween February 21, 2015

        kii@slay h/i/v embarrassing itself,RIH had three RI collections the first two sold out

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        Actually she didn’t try. House of Dereon was basically her mother’s line and passion! That they started from the bottom with. It was not some little collection apart of an already established company. It did well for what it was worth.
        .
        I’m more than sure if Bey chose to release HER OWN clothing line today, it will sell out. Just like her albums, movies, fragrances or anything with her name attached to it! BLOOP!

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        Nothing’s more embarrassing than being the only Keri stan left

  16. TRUTH SERUM February 21, 2015

    Bey’s HOD is a celebrity brand/business venture. She never said that she was a designer. Kanye on the other hand calls himself a designer and thinks he should be on the same level of high end designers with only a fraction of their expertise. Go to design school Ye or focus on music.

    • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

      Excuses

  17. blue February 21, 2015

    rihanna runs the NBA. Find that funny

  18. MISHKA February 21, 2015

    This is because Kanye thinks “he is alllll that allll the time”.

    Kanye is a music genius but even if he likes fashion, he should have taken baby steps then worked his way up.

    Who goes for the Grand Slam for his first tennis game ever? He got a lot of nerve to think he knows as much about fashion as Vera Wang, Donna Karan and all those people who live and breathe for designs and fabrics.

    I will give him credit for his great fashion choices (made by reknown designers) when it comes to his big a**ed girlfriends but it stops right there. Like Victoria Beckham or Diddy, Kanye has to prove first and to humble himself.

  19. The Beysus Impact February 21, 2015

    @Beyonce_Stats: “Sweet Dreams” is Beyoncé’s 12th VEVO video to cross the 100M views mark and 13th video to do so in general.

    • Keri Qween February 21, 2015

      yawn.

      • The Beysus Impact February 21, 2015

        Just like Keri’s discography…

    • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

      Errr…. Con… gratulation?

      • The Beysus Impact February 21, 2015

        Thank you 🙂

  20. I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

    LOL. You didn’t. You can type “Death” or “LOL” all you want. You didn’t know it was a company. You though it was just a label, a Rihanna label. That’s why you said (in your words) “Is that still around or was it a canceled FLOP like “Styled to Rock” And who called a corporate company a flop? LMFAO #BeyhiveLogic 😆

    • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

      For Slay_hív+
      Don’t reply to this. Mistake.

  21. I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

    “House of Dereon made plenty of coin and had an impact during the mid to late 2000’s.” ➡ LMAO!!!! What impact? Nelly’s “Apple Bottom” – mostly jeans – had an actual impact unlike that failed clothing line. 😆

    • Keri Qween February 21, 2015

      kiiiii

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        Lol. That thing is always lying. That’s its problem? 😆

      • Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

        That “thing” keeps you pressed! Try no to be so bothered with my comments. Even though I know it must be hard getting dragged up and down these posts like a plugged head rag doll on a daily basis. Gots ta be difficult! The other rihtards don’t even use you. You’re so f****** stupid, corny, redundant illogical, can’t comprehend and pressed by the Bey and the Hive to the trailer trash gods! We own that scalp b****!!!!!!!:D

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        LMFAO!!! Bítch please. Lol. You use the word “pressed” way too loosely. I keep clocking you for your lying ass. Why do you lie so much? It’s not even flattering whatsoever. And I see you have +4 on every one your struggle comments. *Claps hands* You’re pathetic. SMH 😆

  22. Carmen February 21, 2015

    His collection is a hot try hard mess. He said he was the most impactful person for footwear. I don’t know how anyone can take this guy seriously when it comes to his fashion delusion.

  23. Valerie February 21, 2015

    House of Dereon was clearly an endeavour Bey undertook for her mom. And they actually had their own brand and didn’t need to cling to a local UK store. Yeah it was ghetto but it did its thing so until your ‘fashion icon’ fave can get her own independant brand you can have a seat. H&M and Topshop>>>> The other shop. Even Rita Ora managed to get addidas while the others stuck with Puma LOL.

    • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

      Her mother had her own line “Miss Tina” which was sold n the local Walmart and flopped death! House Of Deadwrong was Beyonce trying to give fashion with her tacky overpriced jeans and Rainbow realness studded Tshirts. A baby phat wanna be ghetto ass mess.

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        Hun you know too much to not be a Beyonce fan. Yes it was for her mother, it was partnered with her mother, her mother designed the clothes and it was named after her mothers mother. Yes she experimented with it but her mother had a history with embroidery and dress making which is what it honored. Mkay?

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        Yet it still FLOPPED with Beyonces and solanges faces attached to it! They debuted it on Oprah and it still flopped. Even tacky,gaudy ass Baby Phat used to slay lol. Keep being delusional sis. It looks good on you! 😉

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        A Z Squad would know all about flopping wouldn’t you?

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        What does the squad have to do with this? Just so you know, Ciara IS fashion. From her cheek bones, to her slender frame. She slays every garment she touches. You wasps can say whatever you want about how “Beyoncé isn’t a model she’s a performer,” but she’s tried to give fashionista and failed every damn time. She needs to stick to sitting on YouTube and stealing… I mean being “inspired” by other peoples work. 😉

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        And yet Beyonce has covered Vogue on multiple occasions and Ciara has never.

    • Valerie February 21, 2015

      Who is your fave?

  24. Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

    The wasps simply cannot handle the truth. Beyonce wanting to give a JLo fashion mess out but it failed. Not even Oprah could save that mess!!!!

  25. Valerie February 21, 2015

    As for Kanyes line. I’m not a fan. His attitude really does not help either. I wonder how much he paid Anna Wintour to make an appearance?

    • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

      Mad because Anna never showed interest in Horror Of Dereon?

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        You can come out of hiding whoever you are. You don’t need to troll behind that random name.

    • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

      How am I trolling? I’m very transparent about who my fav is ugly but that’s besides the point.

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        Who is your fave?

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        Ciara Princess mother f****** Harris. Anymore questions, beetle juice?

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        LMAO! That explains why you’re pressed.

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        Pressed over what Hun? I’m just spilling real tea. Now be a doll and sit your ass down && sip on it.

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        The REAL tea is where is Ciaras line?

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        Ciara will probably end up collabing with one of her MANY high fashion designer pals, but until then she will continue to work on her music && networking. Thanks for your concern though. 😉

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        Probably? Has she even had a Vogue cover yet?

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        L’uomo Vogue, yes. Thanks. 😉

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        No bish. Im talking about the MAIN MAIN Vogue not some lesser version.

      • Bye Felicia February 21, 2015

        It’s still Vogue hun. Isn’t that what you asked or nah? I don’t give a f*** about how many covers Beyonce had. She’s still tacky as f***.

      • Valerie February 21, 2015

        Yes I asked. But If Ciaras such a fashion goddess like you said why hasn’t she been given a main cover (the only one that matters) after over a decade?

  26. I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

    Rihanna doesn’t have a clothing line. LOL. It was a collaboration with River Island in which some of the collections sold out. I understand why people think it was her ms. It’s probably because of the word “Island.” House of Dereon was failure. Accept it and deal with it. IDGAF if it was her mom’s or whatever excuse you fleas wanna come up with. It flopped. Kiii 😆

  27. Slay_Hive February 21, 2015

    Honey no one is tripping off of Dereon when Bey has had PLENTY more successful endeavors than Rihanna could ever dream of! Especially not tripping off of that cheap slutty polyester River Flop collection. Only worn by thots inspired by a thot! 😀

    • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

      LOL. Someone’s having meltdown. Breeeeeathe. 😆

      • I STAN(D) FOR TALENT February 21, 2015

        *a meltdown.

    • Valerie February 21, 2015

      Exactly @Slay_Hive. The struggle to drag.

  28. Rosie February 21, 2015

    I can’t at the Old Navy calling HOD trash (which it was, everyone knows this) when Rih’s River Island collection was also dragged to hell and back when it debuted at LFW. Irrelevant LOCAL version of H&M and Topshop for real. I didn’t even have an idea my country had RI until then. Do they even have any stores in the US yet? Apparently Primark is coming to New York.

Recommended Posts
..**