Kanye’s Collabos: Will They Come Out?

Yesterday, Mr. West was seen stopping by the GAP headquarters here in New York before his batshit awesome final Glow In The Dark concert at Madison Square Garden. We're guessing he's not picking up a new wardrobe'although he’s made it clear in numerous interviews that he fucks with Gap white tees on the regular. Could this mean that a GAP collaboration clothing line is coming down the pike?

These days, it seems like every designer and company wants to get down with 'Ye. But with a slew of collabos already in the works, it seems unlikely that all of them will see the light of day. To help separate hype from reality, we compiled Kanye's top rumored collaborations and tried to predict the likelihood of an actual release.

Collaborator: LOUIS VUITTON
Will It Come Out? Probably Maybe

Marc Jacobs, Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, loves Kanye'no homo. Oh, wait, nevermind. Anyway, the dude is all about ‘Ye, and ‘Ye is all about Louis Vuitton. According to a quote in WWD, he will be designing a footwear project for the brand. As far as Kanye’s priorities, we’re guessing this is at the top of the list, and the probability that you will see this coming out in Fall of 2009 is strong.

Collaborator: KSUBI
Will It Come Out? Probably

Kanye worked with Ksubi designer George Gorrow in 2006, saying, “I love the sunnies Ksubi has produced over the years, and it's an honor to collaborate with them on this first installment of Pastelle frames.” The glasses are supposedly going to drop in October, which is right around the corner, and are set to feature a LE gold pair that will clock in around $2,000. Yeah, right. We’re not saying they’re not coming out, but it will be next spring before any kids can push their hands up against the window and say, “I’m gonna get the red ones.”

Collaborator: NIKE
Will It Come Out? Maybe

Nike is like that smoking hot model chick who gets whatever she wants. If she decides she’s going to fuck with you, you don’t mess around. Unfortunately, Kanye has made a couple off steps, being a little over excited to the point where timing the hype with the drop date is getting all fucked up. Never mind Sole Collector making shit up. The Air Yeezy was scheduled to drop in October 2008, then February, then summer. Ye’s words from a recent freestyle sum it up perfectly: “Nike already don’t like me.” We’re guessing this is friends and family for at least a year, if not forever.

Collaborator: PASTELLE
Will It Come Out? Probably Someday

Kanye is an innovator, and we can’t hate, but unfortunately any designer is looking at two years or so before his first line can go from sketch to completion. After trying to drop Pastelle with a series of Garmentos (including our own Ecko Ltd.), the man has decided he’ll be doing it himself. But what happens if his tastes change again? He’s alreadyover the glow in the dark thing. We’re hoping this can get a “Soon” rating (the site is already up), but in reality you’re looking at a year or more.

Collaborator: RAF SIMMONS
Will It Come Out? Maybe

Besides being a Raf-stan on his blog, media outlets mentioned that Kanye “tracked down” Raf at Jil Sander during last season’s shows to talk business. Although Simmons claims the conversation was rushed, he did mention that Kanye was “very interested in collaborating” and that he was “very nice.” Awww.

Collaborator: TAKASHI MURAKAMI
Will It Come Out? Doubtful

Back in October of 2007, it was reported that ‘Ye and Murakami were going to collaborate on a jewelry line. Kanye even was quoted as saying “They’ll be more accessible, they won’t be all diamonds.” Meaning they’ll probably just be over-priced beaded necklaces. No images, or blueprints of the collection have surfaced, and unless these two really nestle up in Murakami’s studio and get to wizzork, we’re guessing there will be no cartoon-y Jesus pieces in the near future.