New York fashion week is well under its way, with dozens of presentations, shows and events happening each hour. Yet, as fashion takes over the Big Apple, it is already quite evident that only a few runway shows will leave a trace, for better or worse, after the spotlights have been turned off. Among those that will surely be remembered, is certainly Kanye West’s collaboration with adidas, not so much because of the clothes – a set of pieces that mix classic sportswear, all-spandex attire with rebellious teenage feel – but for its particular presentation, co-signed with Vanessa Beecroft. The runway was replaced by a performance space with models standing in neat rows, acting seemingly annoyed and rather unimpressed, while wearing West’s mix of flesh coloured leggings and tights, layered with underwear over the top, ripped up jumpers and utilitarian outerwear. The peculiarity of the presentation, though, was its impeccable casting – racially diverse and showing different body types – which subverted the usual rules of the fashion week. So, does fashion change only when art is thrown in the mix?
