Kanye West aims to open own boutiques
NEW YORK
Kanye West and retail brand Gap announced an end to their partnership on Sept. 15, with the artist now known as Ye saying he plans to open his own stores.
“GAP left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of GAP’s substantial noncompliance,” wrote the artist’s lawyer, Nicholas Gravante, in a letter, elements of which were seen by AFP.
The rapper, producer, fashion designer and mercurial personality inked a much-touted deal with Gap in 2020, with plans to marry the struggling retailer’s clothing classics with West’s Yeezy designs.
In a letter to employees on Sept. 15, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, Gap brand CEO Mark Breitbard said that management had decided to “wind down the partnership” with West.
“While we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people... how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned,” he said.
Breitbard clarified that several Yeezy Gap branded products already in development before the breakup would continue to be released, “as planned.”
Wall Street took the news badly, with Gap shares dropping nearly 3 percent.
The announcement caps months of social media complaints from West, which include accusations that he’s been left out of the creative process and criticisms of marketing delays.
Gravante said West has “diligently” tried to work through issues with the company but “he has gotten nowhere.”
“GAP’s substantial noncompliance with its contractual obligations has been costly,” he continued. “Ye will now promptly move forward to make up for lost time by opening Yeezy retail stores.”
Gap had been expecting $1 billion from Yeezy products alone within five years of the 10-year signed partnership, according to The New York Times.
