At his YZYSZN9 fashion presentation, Kanye West was photographed sporting a shirt with the slogan “White Lives Matter” across the back.
Monday’s videos show West wearing the shirt while delivering a speech at his brand’s Paris Fashion Week display. The fashion show featured his collection for Season 9
It appears that the shirt was an allusion to the Black Lives Matter campaign. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the statement has extremely racist undertones and has been used as a rallying cry by white supremacist organizations such as the Aryan Renaissance Society of Texas.
West addressed himself to the audience with his new moniker during his mid-fashion show statement, proclaiming, “I am Ye, and everyone here knows I am the leader.”
During his address, West elaborated on how individuals feel they “have the right” to approach him and call him “crazy.”
The shirt worn by West was not the only problematic aspect of the evening. At one point, he called out Bernard Arnault, the chief executive officer of LVMH.
“You can’t handle me. This scenario is unmanageable. You cannot turn the volume down, “However, it was unclear to whom West was referencing.
“I’m going to tell you, as promised, but I’m going to make it crystal plain. Bernard Arnault is the new Drake for me “West continued, alluding to the strained nature of his relationship with Drake.
A video filmed at the event by the fashion director of The New York Times, Vanessa Friedman, shows a model in West’s show wearing an identical garment.
On Twitter and Instagram, a number of individuals criticized West for his act.
Podcaster and media personality Van Lathan Jr. described in an Instagram post why he was outraged by West’s shirt.
“The notion that everything MUST ALWAYS be about white people in the United States is extremely aggravating, emotionally taxing, and the root of the problem. However, Kanye West appears to be at the center of this thought “Lathan authored.
This is not the first time West has used his wardrobe choices to make a political statement. In 2018, he wore a MAGA hat to the White House, a cap frequently worn by supporters of former President Donald Trump. West remarked that donning the MAGA hat made him feel like Superman and that he loves Trump because they both had “dragon energy.”
This week, West made his runway debut, launching Balenciaga’s SS23 show on a mud-covered runway.
West and Arnault representatives did not immediately respond to Insider’s requests for comment.
