The 5 Craziest Things We Saw At Kanye West's Yeezy Season Three Fashion Show
Let's be real. At this point in time, Kanye West might be known more for his showmanship than for his music.
Despite being heralded by both fans -- and himself -- as one of the greatest if not the greatest artist of all time, he's become known just as much for his clothing lines, family life and famous rants than for the actual music he puts out.
Well, that all changed yesterday when he put on Yeezy Season Three at Madison Square Garden, a fashion show that was in conjunction with his listening party for his upcoming album, "The Life of Pablo."
In typical Kanye fashion, the show was over the top and filled with as much spectacle as it was music and clothes. By both inviting members of the notoriously closed-off fashion industry and making tickets to the event available to the public, he once again changed the way we interact with not only music but also fashion.
With that said, Kanye will always be Kanye, and because of that, wild things were bound to happen when in the presence of Yeezus. And we were on site for the show.
1. Kanye bringing out hundreds of models
A photo posted by Margaret Zhang 章凝 (@margaret__zhang) on Feb 11, 2016 at 3:08pm PST
Having been to my fair share of fashion shows (10 seasons and counting), I know the importance of a good cast. Ye took it over the top by having two platforms where he showcased his new collection, Yeezy Season Three (more on that shortly), and by flooding the main floor surrounding the platforms with models of varying body types, ages, races and genders.
Ultimately over 1,000 models/extras were used in the production of the show.
2. A star power front row
A photo posted by Lil' Kim (@lilkimthequeenbee) on Feb 11, 2016 at 9:41pm PST
Having a good front row is important for any designer, but when you come with the notoriety of Mr. West, the stakes and standards are understandably higher.
However, as always, he came through with blinding force. He didn't just have one front row, he had multiple ones, with the same star caliber in each row.
He marched in every member of his extended family, the Kardashian Klan, all clad in white, as well as Lamar Odom in his first public appearance since he almost died, plus rappers 50 cent, ASAP Rocky, Travis Scott, Pusha T, and actual editors such as Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld. And he got them all to come out on one of the coldest days this winter. (Most of them wore fur.)
Whereas most designers would kill for even one of those people to attend their show, Kanye settled for nothing but a full set.
3. "The Life of Pablo"
A photo posted by Katlego Tefu (@katlego_tefu) on Feb 12, 2016 at 8:04am PST
Let's talk about the music for a second, because that within itself was one of the craziest things that happened.
No one had much information on the album, which had undergone more name changes than any in recent memory, so the crowd was visibly excited when West took the mic and began talking about the album.
I'm going to put this out there -- the album was incredible. It was the old Kanye that we've grown to love and recently, miss. However, he also didn't fail to take shots at some fellow artists, most shockingly Taylor Swift, in some of his verses.
The listening party culminated with him leading the crowd into a “F*** NIKE” chant, as he moved into his infamous insult song, "Facts."
The album release date is still cause for speculation, but if yesterday was any indication, it's going to burn up your playlist because it's straight flames.
4. Yeezy Season Three
A photo posted by adidas Originals (@adidasoriginals) on Feb 12, 2016 at 3:58am PST
OK, let's finally discuss the clothes. All of Kanye's Yeezy collections in the past have had the same "Hunger Games-esque," military look. From the torn fabrics to the dark, muted colors, the collections have felt more like one big collection presented in parts rather than different collections.
This season was no different. Expanding on his color palette to include reds, yellows, greens and other colors, this collection felt like a further expansion of Yeezy Season Two rather than something new altogether.
However, Mr. West promised that pricing would be adjusted after Season One, so hopefully along with new colors, Season Three will come with new, lower prices so that we aren't left paying $600 for a navy hoody (still bitter about that one).
5. Kanye rapping he loves the fans like "Kanye loves Kanye"
A photo posted by IAMSTYLEICON.COM (@iamstyleicon) on Feb 12, 2016 at 7:48am PST
Probably one of the best moments in the show was when Kanye acknowledged the circus that has grown around him. From the memes of him looking miserable with fans, to the clips of him addressing the media, to people saying they're the "new Kanye," he had a response for all of it.
In a track called "Fade," we see Kanye at his most self-aware, declaring “I am the new Kanye, the bad news Kanye, the always rude Kanye,” and ending with the ultimate compliment “I love you like Kanye loves Kanye.”
And I have to say, I never felt more loved in my life.
