The Balenciaga fashion house has cut off relations with Kanye West, according to a news report.
The move came after several insulting comments from the rapper, now known as Ye, including anti-Semitic posts that earned him suspension on Twitter and Instagram.
“Balenciaga no longer has any relationship or plans for future projects related to this artist,” parent company Kering told Women’s Wear Daily in response to a question.
West, who legally changed his name to Ye, had collaborated in several areas with Balenciaga and its art director, Demna Gvasalia.
Balenciaga also had an active relationship with rapper Kim Kardashian’s ex-wife, who appeared in their ad campaigns.
The controversial music star also previously suggested that slavery was a choice and called the COVID vaccine the “mark of the beast.”
In response to the blocking of social media platforms, West has offered to buy the right-wing social network Parler.
West is active on Parler, which proposes itself as “an independent social media app dedicated to freedom of expression, civil discourse and user privacy”.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in 2019. Pic: Evan Agostini / Invision / AP
The app only returned to the Google Play Store last month, having been removed after the Capitol riots in January 2021 for allowing posts seeking to “incite ongoing violence in the United States.”
During Paris Fashion Week, the rapper walked the runway as a model in Balenciaga’s ready-to-wear show. He was then seen at the Givenchy collection wearing a black Balenciaga branded brace.
West caused a stir that week for wearing a “White Lives Matter” tee at her Yeezy collection show in Paris and the tee appeared on the runway itself. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, White Lives Matter is a neo-Nazi group.
In recent weeks, West has ended Yeezy’s association with Gap and told Bloomberg that he intends to cut ties with his corporate suppliers.
Adidas has reviewed its sneaker deal with Ye, e JPMorganChase and Ye have ended their business relationship – even though the breakdown of the banking system was in the works even before Ye’s anti-Semitic comments.
Kering did not respond to multiple Associated Press emails and calls requesting comment. A rep from Ye also did not respond to a request for comment.
