Kanye West is terminating his contract with Gap
2 min read
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Kanye West’s brand Yeezy has ended its partnership with Gap after nearly two years.
Here is everything you need to know.
Kanye West is officially splitting up with Gap
The Gap president Mark Breitbard confirmed the news in a memo that was released on Thursday.
He wrote, ‘While we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people through unique Omni experiences with Yeezy Gap, how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned.’
Furthermore, he stated, ‘And we are deciding to wind down the partnership.’
Kanye West who is now known as Ye on the other hand addressed the news while talking with CNBC on Thursday afternoon through a video call.
He said, ‘It was always a dream of mine to be at the Gap and to bring the best product possible.’
The 45-year-old rapper continued, ‘It was very frustrating. It was very disheartening because I just put everything I had. I put all of my top relationships.’
He was referring to the time when his connections managed to persuade Balenciaga creative director Demna to join them for a capsule collection.
Nevertheless, Ye concluded his statement by claiming, ‘Everyone knows that I’m the leader, I’m the king. A king can’t live in someone else’s castle. A king has to make his own castle.’
More about Kanye West’s partnership with Gap
Kanye West and Gap’s partnership commenced with a drumroll of publicity in June 2020. They both signed a ten-year contract with the possibility of generating more than $1 billion in annual sales.
Regardless, for the last few months, West has been accusing the brand of leaving him out of the creative process on social media. He further called out Gap for marketing delays.
West’s lawyer, Nicholas Gravante claimed that the rapper ‘diligently tried to work through these issues with Gap. Both directly and through counsel.’ However, ‘he has gotten nowhere.’
Regardless, on 16th August, the legal team of West sent a breach of contract notice to Gap. Although the brand replied with a letter on 23rd August, Gravante wrote in a statement, ‘GAP left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement.’
He continued, ‘GAP’s substantial non-compliance with its contractual obligations has been costly.’
Moreover, he added, ‘Ye will now promptly move forward to make up for the lost time. By opening Yeezy retail stores.’
