10 Reasons Why Dior Should Hire Kanye West As Creative Director

Written by Noah Johnson (@noahvjohnson)

The luxury fashion house is without a head, and the search for a new creative director to fill John Galliano’s shame-ridden shoes is proving a difficult task. But no worries, we got this one figured out. It’s simple, really. LVMH should just hire Kanye to be the new creative director for Dior. Duh. Here’s why.

This whole mess started because Dior’s last creative director went on an insane anti-semitic rampage one night back in March after a few too many hate-filled cocktails. Dior had to do some damage control and cut ties with the famed designer (who’s behavior eerily resembles that of Mugatu from Zoolander), and the search for his replacement, nearly seven months later, is ongoing. So, we say just get it over with, hire Kanye and sell some fucking clothes.

[Image: Chris Brown, John Galliano, Kanye West]

If there’s one thing Kanye can do, it’s sell a brand. Remember, before he became an international superstar, ‘Ye was the producer responsible for crafting hits for artists like Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson. He’s now sold over 25 million digital songs, and helped A-list pop stars like Katy Perry stay on the charts. This man is no stranger to commercial success—all of his last five albums debuted at #1 in the US.

Or at least they have taken interest in him. How his women’s wear collection will be received is yet to be seen, but when Philip Lim, Riccardo Tisci, and Phoebe Philo are among your best pals, who cares? ‘Ye’s already in the cool kids club.

[Image: Amber Rose, Kanye West, Anna Wintour]

That’s right, sneakers. Maybe not what you have in mind when you think Dior, but think again. Designer sneakers have been hot for years in the fashion and rap worlds — why else would everyone from Rick Ross to ASAP Rocky mention fashion houses like RAF Simons, Christian Louboutin, Maison Martin Margiela, and Rick Owens in their verses?

Kris Van Assche has already put out some dope sneakers for Dior Homme, and Kanye could bring to the table his experience making kicks with Louis Vuitton and a signature shoe with Nike (the Air Yeezy, which is about to have a sequel).

Yes, Dior is the pinnacle of high fashion and has been for many, many years, but think about it, not since Hedi Slimane was in charge (of the men's line) has there been much excitement about the direction of the brand. The last couture collection, designed by Galliano’s numero dos (Bill Gaytten) was universally panned, and even Galliano’s theatrical taste never really resonated as powerfully as Slimane’s rockstar heroin chic. Whoever steps in needs to breathe some new life into this brand, and, ahem, if Mr. West is good at anything it’s recreating a brand (he’s done it for himself several times).

[Image: Kanye West, Hedi Slimane]

Marc Jacobs isn't leaving his position as Creative Director, Riccardo Tisci ain't stepping away from Givenchy any time soon, and Haider Ackermann (another name that’s been tossed in the hat) is apparently "way too edgy" for the job. Alexander Wang’s name has been mentioned, but he's got a good thing going with his own brand. It’s not likely that Phoebe Philo will get the job, and that’s pretty much everyone. Sorry LVMH, it’s Yeezy or the guy you found on Craigslist.

[Image: Alexander Wang, Kanye West]

That's the parent company behind Dior. ‘Ye really was the Louis Vuitton don for a minute, and not just for carrying around all those unavailable LV trunks—in 2009 Yeezy and LV partnered for a collection of sneakers. Three styles were released through the collaboration, designed by Kanye with the help of LV creative Fabrizio Viti (and a hefty cosign from LV head designer Marc Jacobs).

[Image: Kanye West, Marc Jacobs]

Kanye has already dipped into the menswear segment with Pastelle (which he eventually abandoned), and this weekend we’ll see his women’s wear collection on the runway. The creative director at Dior will oversee the women’s collections, and have a hand in the men’s collection, which is designed by Kris Van Assche. Even better: Kanye wears men’s AND women’s clothes, too. That Celiné tunic he rocked at Coachella was a much better call than Weezy’s women’s jeggings at this year’s VMAs.

“Christian Dior Denim Flow" may be Kanye’s most blatant brand shoutout, but it’s probably not his best or most memorable. On the track “Devil In A New Dress” off of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy he spits:

The Lyor Cohen of Dior Homme
That’s Dior Homme, not Dior, homie

And let’s not forget these lines from “Stronger” off Graduation:

Awesome, the Christian in Christian Dior
Damn, they don't make ‘em like this anymore
I ask, cause I'm not sure:
Do anybody make real shit anymore?

As Creative Director, Yeezy would literally be the Christian in “Christian Dior.” He would also set a whole generation of kids straight. All of tomorrow’s fashion trends? Yeezy taught you.

Honestly, dude’s been rocking the same Balmain joints all year. Time for ‘Ye to change it up.