Balenciaga severs ties with Kanye West

Fashion house Balenciaga announced on Friday it has severed ties with music artist-turned-designer Kanye West, joining other major brands and retailers that are distancing themselves from West's controversial remarks.

The move comes after several offensive comments from the rapper, now known as Ye, including anti-semitic posts that saw him suspended from Twitter and Instagram, as a result.

"Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist," Balenciaga's parent company Kering said in a statement.

Ye has collaborated in several areas with Balenciaga and its artistic director, Demna, recruiting the Georgian designer to produce items for his Yeezy Gap partnership. Ye has been seen dressed in Balenciaga in recent months, and then went on to appear in Balenciaga's latest spring 2023 show in Paris, just a few weeks ago.

Balenciaga is also linked to Ye's ex-wife Kim Kardashian, who has appeared in the house's advertising campaigns in recent seasons.

Balenciaga's distancing comes after German sporting goods maker Adidas said it has put under review its business partnership with Ye, earlier this month.

This follows an announcement from U.S. retailer Gap in September, revealing it had cut ties with Ye, only two years into their 10-year Yeezy Gap deal. Ye had alleged that Gap breached the agreement by not releasing apparel from the collaboration and failing to open retail stores, in a timely manner.

Balenciaga severs ties with Kanye West

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