Every Thursday, we dig up a favorite piece from the archives and bring it back to life. Today, we're highlighting an interview between Raf Simons and Kanye West that appeared in Interview Magazine near the end of 2008. If you haven't read it, consider this a blessing.
By 2008, Kanye West's personal style had definitely evolved, moving further and further away from streetwear and into high end designers. At this point, he'd attended dozens of fashion shows—Dior, Chanel, Fendi, and even an Alexander McQueen show he had to sneak into. One designer Ye was vocal about was Raf Simons, who at the time still held the position of creative director at Jil Sander (Simons made his exit in 2012). This recognition is pretty telling of Kanye's taste and knowledge of fashion, operating light years ahead of most, it seems, co-signing designers and brands that his peers would later appreciate.
Simons, on the other hand, was establishing himself with his eponymous line. He also had been at Jil Sander for three years, building on the minimal, utilitarian aesthetic the label had become known for.
Here, in this incredible interview, Kanye and Simons' worlds collide. Simons tells Kanye about the first fashion show he ever attended, and crying at said show. Kanye talks to Simons about challenges of being a rapper and starting a clothing line (Pastelle, at the time). There's also some conversation about "starting something together"... And, well, we'll just let the piece speak for itself.
Raf Simons cried after seeing a Maison Martin Margiela show, the first ever fashion show he attended.
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Kanye West believed that in order to be a successful designer, who also happened to be a rapper, he needed to set himself apart from all the other hip-hop clothing lines.
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Kanye West admitted he experienced racism first hand at Bonnaroo festival.
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Click here for the full interview.
