What Could've Been: A History of Kanye's Defunct Pastelle Line

Kanye West is arguably just as big a fashion icon as rapper, and in a few hours the Louis Vuitton Don will show his women's wear line at Paris Fashion Week. The fits are sure to be a spectacle no doubt, but when we heard it was going to be exclusively for women we couldn't help but flashback to the days of Kanye's first stab at producing his own clothing line.

Back in 2008, "Pastelle" was all the hype, and 'Ye stoked the fires the entire year debuting different looks during most of his sightings. Alas, it was reported in 2009 without much explanation that the Pastelle plan was cancelled and would never see the light of the day.

Pretty disappointing considering that of all the rappers who try to release clothing lines, Kanye would be the most appropriate — and probably the most successful. Perhaps there's other opportunities in fashion for him? To celebrate the loss of what could've been the dopest rapper line since Billionare Boys Club, here's a brief visual history of the now defunct Pastelle line:

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Where: Unknown Magazine

When: The College Dropout - Late Registration era

Complex Says: The earliest whispers of a Kanye West clothing line came during the College Dropout era and were fueled by this advertisement. Reports say the collection was originally going to be called "Mascott" which is probably why Ye's [at the time] signature bear character appears to be the logo. We love-and kinda miss-the bear but we're glad he went back in the lab before he went through with this plan.

Where: Concert

When: June 2008

Complex Says: Remember the old UniverseCity blog? This one definitely would've been a high seller, although it's quite possible that Ye just got this custom-made for himself. Which, coincidentally, can be said of all of Pastelle now.

Where: VMAN magazine

When: August 2008

Complex Says: Kanye got friends Lupe Fiasco and a pre-diva Rihanna to join him in modeling some Pastelle gear, which ran as a preview for VMAN magazine. RiRi rocking the aforementioned hoody should've been the first signs of Ye starting a womens fashion line.

Where: Pastelle LookBook

When: 2008

Complex Says: A couple of shots leaked from the alleged Pastelle Lookbook during the peak of the brand's hype. The clothes-especially that two-tone varsity jacket-look cool, but what's really good with these elementary-school-class-photos looking poses? Is the homie on the right about to do like a slo-mo kung-fu kick? Riding an invisible bicycle? We don't think any rap heads would have been especially pressed to go pick up some new Pastelle after seeing these um, action shots, and we sincerely hope the hat wasn't a part of the line.

Where: Unknown

When: 2009

Complex Says: Ye brought out this fresh two-toned varsity jacket with wool body and leather sleeves while stunting around town with Amber. After that the Pastelle appearances started to die down and eventually the cancellation was announced later in the year. Since then Ye's style and sensibilties have only gotten fresher. We wish his womens line success, but here's hoping he decides to give menswear another go in the near future.