Kanye West Says Selling Clothes in Trash Bags Makes Him an 'Innovator'
Rapper Kanye West slams back at critics on his "innovative" decision to sell Yeezy Gap in big black bags.
The Yeezy founder, whose stage name is "Ye" now, announced his collaboration with the globally recognized Gap brand in 2021. Notably, the "I am a God" rapper worked in a Gap store as a teen in Chicago. Since then, West has become a disruptive force across music, footwear, and fashion.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Ye defends Yeezy Gap amidst controversy surrounding his "creative" choices, which include a viral tweet of his clothing line being sold in what netizens thought to be garbage bags.
The rapper explained that they're "large construction" bags that are designed for customers to "informally reach in and help themselves". Ye also explained that his ideas are inspired by the homeless to challenge traditional fashion conventions, to which he is accused of "exploitation of the powerless".
"I'm an innovator. And I'm not here to sit up and apologize about my ideas." Ye told Fox News. "I'm fighting for a position to be able to change clothing and bring the best design to the people at a price they can accept."
West explains that his aim in striking collaboration with Gap is to make egalitarian clothing. Yeezy Gap simulates the experience of people having a moment of discovery while shopping and be able to "think like children". Expanding on his message, he recounted his time working in homeless shelters.
"I'm up here literally working on homeless shelters. There's documentation of it where the city came and tore down my creations while I was doing it," West recalls. "So no one can tell me I'm insensitive when that stuff that I think about every single day and actually have put my mind and innovation to."
Is Ye Actually Helping the Poor?
While the "Praise God" singer may have the homeless in his mind, L.A. Mission, an organization for the needy, thinks Kanye West needs to follow through with his words
The rapper had promised to create a strategic plan in feeding the homeless people and that he is willing to provide education, employment, and housing assistance to aid the organization in fulfilling its mission for the poor.
However, TMZ reports that L.A. Mission has been contacting West since the meeting but the rapper cannot be reached, which resulted in them calling out Ye to follow through with his promises. As of now, no representatives from West's side have given any comment on the issue.
