Kanye West wore a t-shirt that said “White Lives Matter” at his Yeezy fashion show. The shirt appears to be a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement. The politically charged message was also on a T-shirt worn by a model in videos of the show. Loading Something is loading.
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Kanye West was seen wearing a t-shirt with the words “White Lives Matter” splattered across the back at his YZYSZN9 fashion show.
The videos show West wearing the shirt while giving a speech during his brand’s show at Paris Fashion Week on Monday. The fashion show showcased her Season 9 collection.
The shirt appeared to be a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the phrase has deeply racist connotations and has been used as a slogan by white supremacist groups such as the Texas-based Aryan Renaissance Society.
During her speech at the fashion show, West introduced herself to the audience under her new name and declared, “I’m Ye, and everyone here knows I’m the leader.”
West spoke at length during his speech about how people felt they “had the right” to approach him and call him “crazy.”
West’s jersey wasn’t the only controversial part of the night. At one point, he called LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.
“You can’t handle me. This is an unmanageable situation. You can’t turn the music down,” West said, though it was unclear who he was referring to.
“I’ll tell you, like I said, but I’ll make it clear, guys. Bernard Arnault is my new Drake,” West added, referring to his strained relationship with Drake.
A video taken at the event by New York Times fashion director Vanessa Friedman also showed a model at West’s show wearing a similar garment.
The stunt didn’t seem to land well on social media, with some people calling out West on Twitter and Instagram.
In an Instagram post, podcaster and media personality Van Lathan Jr. explained why he was offended by West’s jersey.
“The notion that it ALWAYS has to be about white people in America is incredibly frustrating, emotionally draining and the whole thing. But here’s Kanye, seemingly centering that notion,” Lathan wrote.
This isn’t the first time West has made a political statement with his fashion choices. In 2018, she wore a MAGA hat, an item of clothing often worn by supporters of former President Donald Trump, to the White House. west said putting on the MAGA hat made him feel like Supermanand that he supports Trump because they both have “dragon energy.”
This week, West also made a splash in his runway debut, opening Balenciaga’s SS23 show while walking down a runway covered in mud.
Representatives for West and Arnault did not immediately respond to Insider requests for comment.
Source: news.google.com