Photo: NRK P3 / Flickr

US musician Kanye West and British designer Louise Goldin are working on a ready-to-wear fashion label for women. It’s expected that the label will be launched at New York Fashion week. This will be West’s second foray into the world of fashion. In 2008 he founded the streetwear label Pastelle but it didn’t make it to the shops. Louise Goldin, on the other hand, is an award-winning designer. With her help, West may get it right this time.

A luxury label

Those in the know say that West’s new luxury label will be aimed primarily at women. West’s appreciation for bold prints combined with Goldin’s use of colour and futuristic design could work very well together.

Not to be dismissed

Professor Louise Wilson, director of Central Saint Martins’ masters in fashion course, says: ‘I think we can expect a well-considered collection, you wouldn’t expect less from a pair of professionals and I warn against dismissing it in haste. There are those who might assume Louise will be doing all the work and Kanye is just the face, I don’t believe this will be the case – he researches thoroughly and is hands on and committed to his work.’

Passionate about fashion

It’s said that Rihanna, a dedicated fan of Goldin’s designs, piqued West’s interest in a partnership with Goldin by exposing him to the British designer’s work. West has other connections in the fashion industry, though. He is good friends with creative director of Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci, and was asked to hand over an award at last year’s CFDA America fashion awards. Wilson says that West clearly shows ‘passion for the industry.’

If the new label debuts at New York Fashion Week it will be the first time Goldin has ventured on to the catwalk in two seasons. And, having collaborated with Kanye West on the new label, it’s not just the die-hard fashion fundis who will be waiting with bated breath to see her new work.

Tags: fashion, Fashion trends