Inside Kanye West's style evolution
See all of Ye's strongest style moves here...
Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) is one of the most influential figures in menswear. Since the self-proclaimed messianic superstar first burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, the Graduation rapper has been known as much for his fashion choices as he has his excellent musical offering (and Twitter rants). We've had Rosewood-era suit-wearing Kanye, Watch The Throne-era, leather kilt Kanye, Yeezy season-era-camo Kanye and more recently face mask Kanye.
Whether it's wearing Dickies to the Met in 2019 alongside his then-wife, Kim Kardashian West, who was literally dripping in Mugler, or wearing Celine by Phoebe Philo on stage in 2011, thus creating more buzz around the then designer of the brand, West has always made a sartorial splash. No matter what he's throwing on, you can guarantee he will remain as one of the most interesting dressers on the planet. Remember shutter shades? Yup.
What's more, not only is he the man behind the billion-dollar Yeezy line, which in its history has been produced by both Nike and Adidas, but he is also single-handedly trying to resurrect the ailing high street brand Gap. What's more, he's the unofficial spokesperson for Balençiaga.
Below we celebrate his best style moves to date.
- Marc Piasecki1/24
Paris, 23 January 2022
Serving Dondafied Brit and JT, Ye and Julia Fox rocked matching double denim (Ye in for their debut as a couple.
- Marc Piasecki2/24
Paris, January 2022
Presentig Donda-era Ye. With a penchant for face coverings, Balençiaga jeans and Gap hoodies, his surprising style choice is with his footwear. Does Ye have the power to make Red Wing the “It” brand of 2022? We reckon so.
- Kevin Mazur3/24
Atlanta, July 2021
For the first Donda listening party West took to the stage at Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium in a red 'fit comprising an unreleased Yeezy Gap puffer jacket, leather trousers and a pair of never-before-seen Yeezy boots.
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London, 10 October 2020
Touching down in London with his equally stylish daughter, North, West served big coat energy by way of another oversized Raf Simons number.
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Chicago, 16 February 2020
In attendance at the 69th NBA All-Star Game as part of 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend, Kanye West threw his support behind Tremaine Emory's Denim Tears, in turn making the burgeoning designer's collaboration with Levi's the most grailed clothing of the year.
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Los Angeles, 9 February 2020
Only Kanye West could get away with wearing a Dunhill leather suit to the Oscars. A huge win.
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New York, 5 February 2020
Not only did Ye throw more support behind Denim Tears with that denim jacket, but he also served a style lesson in layering.
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Los Angeles, 10 July 2019
Arguably, Kanye West was the influence behind the stream of celebrities – Justin and Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Kim Kardashian et al – who think it's acceptable to wear sweatpants to dine out. Note the tucked-in bottoms, which is a move that was later stolen by Timothée Chalamet.
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New York, 6 May 2019
While Kim Kardashian West opted for custom Mugler, West, who seemingly went shopping at his local mall, rocked a £33 Dickies jacket.
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New York, 29 September 2019
Attending a Sunday church service in Queens back in 2019 the self-proclaimed “Louis Vuitton don” flexed a pair of the luxury brand's Billionaire sunglasses.
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New York, May 2016
Attending the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2016, West served his own spin on futuristic wear by opting for space-age contact lenses and a spangly Balmain jacket.
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Los Angeles, 30 August 2015
Not only did the 2015 VMAs stand as the night he reunited with Taylor Swift (to then fall out again), but West used the opportunity to promote his entire Yeezy line.
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Atlanta, 25 July 2015
West performed at the TM:101 Ten Year Anniversary Concert at Fox Theatre in Atlanta and while he tried to blend into the stage in another camo getup, he stood out for all the right reasons.
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Paris, 14 April 2015
Arguably kick-starting the cropped bomber trend (which has become a staple in his own line), West was ever the influence in this velour jacket from Colombian-born French designer Haider Ackermann.
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Paris, 4 March 2015
Attending the Dries Van Noten show during Paris Fashion Week, Kanye West gave the Raf Simons camouflage riot bomber jacket holy grail status. Since that outing, one has sold for a whopping $47,000. Nuff said.
- Getty Images16/24
Los Angeles, 8 February 2015
Attending the 57th Grammy Awards at Los Angeles' storied Staples Center, West slipped into a Haider Ackermann-designed burgundy velour two-piece and a pair of his Yeezy 750 Boosts, in turn being the most casual person there.
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New York, 6 November 2014
His'n'hers Balmain was the order of the day in the early years of Kimye's marriage.
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Paris, 28 September 2014
In 2014 West attended the Celine Womenswear Spring/Summer 2015 fashion show at the Tennis Club De Paris. For the occasion he dressed as the most stylish Jedi in history, wearing Haider Ackermann and Bottega Veneta.
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Paris, 25 September 2014
West made a case for going sleeveless (in Lanvin) long-before the catwalks, Jaden Smith and A$AP Rocky picked up on it.
- Getty Images20/24
Paris, 25 September 2014
A Dries Van Noten coat fit for a self-proclaimed god.
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Paris, 29 September 2013
And here began Kanye West's relationship with Rick Owens, when he stepped out during Paris Fashion Week in the brand's DRKSHDW parka (and a pair of fringed Visvim FBT boots).
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Coachella, 17 April 2013
Being a headline act at Coachella calls for a special 'fit. That's why West looked to the ever-popular Phoebe Philo (who was then at Celine) to lend him one of her silky shirts.
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New York, 3 January 2011
During his Watch The Throne era, Kanye West's uniform consisted of leather slacks and fur coats. A decisive, but nonetheless iconic, look.
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New York, 9 November 2011
Performing alongside Jay-Z at the Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York, it wasn't the brand's bedazzled bras that left audiences speechless, but West's Versace x H&M bomber jacket.
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