Coming soon to an Ikea near you: Yeezy-approved flat pack furniture. Kanye West’s meeting at the design department of Ikea’s Swedish HQ today, which is currently threatening to break the internet, makes this one of the most surprisingly plausible rumors of the day. Ikea’s press officer Jakob Holmström has confirmed that the rappper-cum-designer’s visit was “an inspiring meeting” to explore Ikea design.
There are few reasons why a Kanye x Ikea collaboration actually makes sense. OG fans might remember that Yeezy is long-time fan of Ikea, name-dropping the brand as far back as 2004’s The College Dropout. “You know, we went to Ikea, I bought a bed, I put the bed together myself,” he rapped on “Last Call.” And while his tastes may now align more closely with marble conference tables than with Ikea’s low-key iconic MALM frame, the furniture giant’s business ethos is one that likely still resonates. In a memorable Style.com interview last year the self-proclaimed “Robin Hood of fashion” criticized the elitism of other labels, stressing his desire to give everyone access to his brand. Lastly, Kanye’s London-based industry BFF Katie Eary has also collaborated with Ikea in the past.
But who knows? Maybe he just really likes their meatballs.
Kanye West visiting the @IKEA
Headquarters in Sweden today (?”? @EmmaDezign) pic.twitter.com/ibDrQWRvs8— Yeezy Central (@YeezyCentral) March 8, 2016
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Photography Fabien Montique