Kanye West – “I’m Unwelcome As A Designer Because I’m Black”

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Iconic rapper, Kanye West has stated that he feels unwelcome as a designer in the industry because of the color of his skin.

In the rapper’s interview with ‘SHOWstudio In Camera’ on Tuesday, October 6, Kanye admitted he’s prone to challenges in the fashion world but will never back down because that world is full of racism.

“I loved clothes before I knew f— about the fashion world,” Kanye told journalist Lou Stoppard during the intimate discussion, which found him answering questions from fans, his peers and family members.

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Regarding the critics her received for his recently released ‘Yeezy Season II’ clothing line, West said, “They saw the 350 [sneakers] and acted like they didn’t like them because they’re racist,” he insisted.

“We sell shoes that people want to line up for because we put love in them. We put heart in them, we want to make Christmas presents. We make something people want so bad it hurts them if they can’t have it. It isn’t just a financial opportunity — of course you need finances — but it’s a form of discrimination and racism especially with blacks in fashion.”

The “Black Skinhead” rapper said “it took me being Kanye West to get this far in fashion. I had to become a millionaire and invest in myself — because no one else would have” 

West mentioned racism and classism as deterrents in his own journey toward the runway at several times throughout the conversation, adding, “if you could put racism inside the battery of your phone it would never stop working.” before adding that, “I refuse to back to back down.  You have to know you are somebody… you have to know that it’s possible. You have to see me keep winning against all odds, I’m gonna win until I die. I won’t lose, I can’t lose.”

As for the line’s price point considered too high by some buyers, West said, “I’m not H&M, I don’t have giant factories. How can I get the price point to where I need to be if I’m like, running an eight-person design team? It’s gonna take time to get there.”