Ye (FKA Kanye West) has had a busy start to 2022. After teaming up with his good friend Demna Gvasalia to create a line for Gap — under the banner of Ye’s pre-existing partnership with the American retailer — he then proceeded to release a follow up to 2021’s Donda; launch a three-part Netflix documentary called Jeen-Yuhs; and go on a series of chaotic dates with Uncut Jahmz muse and masterpiece memoir writer Julia Fox.
Now, forgoing the usual seasonal fashion calendar, it seems like Ye may be ready to shake up the pop-cultural snow globe once again, with WWD reporting that a second online drop from Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga is due on 25 May 2022 at 9am EST. Set your reminders now!
At this point, we don’t know exactly what will follow the black oversized hoodies, distressed denims and sleeping bag couture of the first drop. Fans have speculated though, that a previously unseen leather pullover jacket and a logo-imbued cap — sported by Ye in recent meet ups with Fragment’s Hiroshi Fujiwara and his new beau Chaney Jones — might be from the new collection.
Last night, a music video for Ye’s new song “Life of the Party” doubled as the first commercial for Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga, with deepfake edits of him from childhood photos wearing garments from the first collection. Trippy!
When Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga launched earlier this year, the project’s aim was a little different to the branded cross-pollinations we’ve seen so much of recently. Rather than top price bracket goods, the venture brought the visions of two of today’s most definitive creative voices to the masses, making “incredible product available to everyone at all times,” Ye told Vogue – which meant Balenciaga x Yeezy designs at Gap prices. Lord, what good deeds did we do to deserve this?
Ye and Demna’s mutual admiration for each other is hardly secret at this point, and their creative relationship has been turbocharged in recent months. Ye (masked, obvi) was seen front-and-centre at the debut of Balenciaga’s couture revival last July, and is reported to have been seen carrying out pretty major hauls from the brand’s stores. Demna, on the other hand, creative directed the artist’s Donda listening events, and designed the official merch sold at them.
“There are very few people that I know, especially of Ye’s calibre, who really understands my work so well,” Demna told Vogue of their relationship. “He makes me come out of my comfort zone and be a better designer. There’s no ego when we collaborate, just a mutual drive to evolve and do something great and new.”
While we may have to wait another few weeks to see the full collection, something great is damn well guaranteed. Get in line now, girlies!
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