Fashion house Balenciaga cuts ties with Kanye West over Paris fashion show controversy
A photo of Balenciaga’s fall collection
The decision to not renew the designer’s contract was announced just hours after President Donald Trump made his first State of the Union address, saying the fashion house is “getting away” with “not paying Fashion Tax.”
“We had a great relationship with Kanye, and as a friend, we offered him a contract for several years. We regret that we were not able to sustain a relationship with him that will allow us to move forward with the show we know he wants to put together,” the company said.
“For the next few weeks, we will be making every effort to create a new creative dialogue that respects Kanye’s past and where the line is currently in his creative process. We will also continue to share his vision for Paris Fashion Week and his vision for a future in fashion that respects all of fashion.”
The company also said they were reviewing other events and shows scheduled for the winter season, adding: “To our colleagues at Balenciaga, we sincerely apologize for the damage that this event has caused.”
“The timing of this decision is disappointing, and we have no plans to cancel or postpone any of the planned events,” a spokesperson for the brand said.