11 Reasons Why Kanye West’s Gay Discrimination Claim Against Fashion Is Insane

“I feel like I got discriminated in fashion for not being gay,” West says of his lukewarm sartorial career

Kanye West VMAs
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Kanye West has the fashion world buzzing again, and not because of controversial last-minute runway shows or using Kardashian sisters as models.

The singer-turned-designer, whose minimal Yeezy collection showed only weeks ago at New York Fashion Week, said he felt his heterosexuality worked against him in fashion circles.

“I feel like I got discriminated in fashion for not being gay,” West said in a recent interview. “In music, you definitely get discriminated in music if you are gay. It takes amazing talents to break down barriers.”

It’s no secret that fashion has its powerful sect of gay designers, creative directors, curators and journalists, but plenty of heterosexual men enjoy successful careers in the menswear, womenswear and accessories game.

Ralph Lauren, who recently stepped down as CEO from his iconic brand, John Varvatos, Kenneth Cole and Yohji Yamamoto are just a few of those who identify as straight — not to mention the late, legendary Oscar de la Renta who is largely considered one of the greatest American designers of all time (but we’ll let you finish, Kanye).

If West is feeling a cold shoulder, perhaps its the content of his collection — not his interest in the opposite sex — that leaves sour notes within the industry.

“This second round of drab, broken-down basics proved he can’t be taken seriously as a designer, but nevertheless many people in fashion do seem to take West seriously — they keep showing up expectantly for his performances — and that makes them fools,” wrote noted fashion critic Cathy Horn of West’s latest efforts.

See 11 straight fashion designers killing it in the marketplace:

11. Kenneth Cole

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Designer Kenneth Cole attends the premiere of "In My Father's House" during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at the SVA Theater on April 16, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)
10. Tommy Hilfiger

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: Tommy Hilfiger attends "Fashion Lives" book launch at Saks Fifth Avenue on April 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Thomas Concordia/Getty Images)

9.  Ralph Lauren

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 05: Designer Ralph Lauren attends the Anna Wintour Costume Center Grand Opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

8. Christian Lacroix

PARIS - MAY 06: French designer Christian Lacroix, poses with a model of the association "Tissons la Solidarite" at Docks en Seine on May 6, 2010 in Paris, France. Lacroix sponsored the fashion show of the French association Secours Catholique (Catholic Relief). (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christian Lacroix

7.  Oscar de la Renta

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 18: Designer Oscar de la Renta attends the Launch of his new fragrance, "Something Blue" at Bloomingdale's 59th Street on April 18, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Stewart/Getty Images for Bloomingdale's)

6. Emanuel Ungaro

5. Emilio Pucci

4. Max Azria

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Designer Max Azaria backstage at the Herve Leger By Max Azria fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on February 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

3. Elie Saab

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 08: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) Designer Elie Saab works backstage before his show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015/2016 on July 8, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

2. Yohji Yamamoto

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 29: Yohji Yamamoto attends the Y-3 Spring/Summer 2015 Show as part of Paris Fashion Week Menswear S/S 2015 at Couvent des Cordeliers on June 29, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/Getty Images)

1. Public School

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Public School fashion designers Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow attend 'A Good Time At Goodman's' held at Goodman's Men's Store on September 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Goodman's Men's Store)
Public School fashion designers Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow


 

 

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