Fashion

Who Named Kanye The Country's No. 1 Designer?

by Marc Cuenco

There's no denying that his fashion empire is becoming as prolific as his music, but now Kanye West is America's top designer — according to Damien Paul, head of menswear at online retailer Matches Fashion. Paul was at New York Fashion Week: Men's, where he shared this thoughts on the collections to the Observer. He also noted that flagship American designers like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein need a larger presence in future NYFW: Men's, but also emerging yet insanely popular brands like West's fashion line.

"I would say that our biggest American brand for Autumn/Winter is Yeezy," Paul said. "It has just had such an impact already." Judging by how fast the Yeezy Boost sneakers sold out worldwide just a few weeks ago, West is seriously making a name for himself as a creative force that could potentially transform the fashion industry. But there are still those who doubt West's impact and his ability to remain significant as a fashion designer, according to Paul.

"There is focus on the ‘haters,’ let’s say (in some fashion commentaries) when actually everyone really forgets about how many fans there are out there," he said. "He’s a very stylish guy. We are immersed in a really creative world." Kanye's world, to be exact.

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