Kanye West makes her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week

Kanye West has officially made his runway debut.

Founder of Yeezy, 45, opened the Balenciaga Spring / Summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week over the weekend, modeling an all-black, battle-ready look that included a baseball cap and a rugged utility vest, both embellished with the words “Safety. “

The runway itself, exposed outside at the city’s Parc des Expositions, consisted of what appeared to be an ankle-deep space of mud.

West’s four children – North (9), Saint (6), Chicago (4) and Psalm 3 – who he shares with ex Kim Kardashian, reportedly accompanied him to cheer him on, along with Kylie Jenner.

Other stars in the crowd include Doja Cat and “Euphoria” star Alex Demie, for Elle.

Later, other models appeared in the presentation, such as Bella Hadid, wearing makeup that made them look bruised and beaten. The dramatic look came shortly after Hadid’s escapade that concluded the Coperni show, showcasing little more than a spray-painted design that was applied in real time in front of the participants.

Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna Gvasalia, preceded the collection with the idea of ​​personal identity as a “battlefield”.

“You need courage and persistence to truly accept your identity and who you really are” read part of his speech. “And the more you try to be yourself, the more you punch your face … The challenge is to get up and continue walking towards your true self after you’ve been beaten and knocked down.”

Meanwhile, the muddy backdrop of the presentation was designed by the conceptual artist Santiago Sierra, known for his controversial projects that explore social inequalities. For one of his most infamous works – titled “160 cm line tattooed on 4 people”, made in 2000. – paid a group of heroin-addicted prostitutes the cost of an injection of the drug in exchange for allowing him to tattoo a line on each of their backs.

About the Sierra plan, Gvasalia explained that it was “a metaphor for digging the truth and being on the ground.”

Among those who responded to Ye’s first runway modeling appearance was legendary designer Betsey Johnson. Rapper “All of the Lights” shared a screenshot of a text message he received from the iconic 80-year-old fashion designer in his Instagram feed.

“When you walked, I felt a little emotional,” she wrote. “It was really special.”

West replied, “After all the battles Even this year. Pretty amazing that I’m emotional too.”

“More battles are ahead of us,” he added. “But we’re going to win, God is on our side.”