Kanye West’s influence on fashion is undeniable. From his Yeezy line to his collaborations with high-profile designers, his impact resonates throughout the industry. While his Yeezus album was a masterclass in fashion name-dropping and critique, Donda takes a more subtle approach. This article delves into the fashion references within Donda, exploring the designers and products Kanye and his collaborators deem worthy of mention.
Following Kanye’s listening parties, with their Demna-designed merch and extravagant Balenciaga looks, expectations were high for Donda‘s fashion content. However, the album surprised many with its restraint. In contrast to Yeezus‘s sharp commentary, Donda offers fewer overt fashion references and critiques. Instead of Kanye himself, guest artists like Playboy Carti, Baby Keem, Westside Gunn, and Ty Dolla $ign carry the torch of extravagant flexes. Playboy Carti’s boasts about designer pieces are more prominent, filling the void left by Kanye’s more introspective lyrics.
This shift in tone raises questions. Is Kanye’s stylistic evolution reflected in Donda‘s subdued fashion references? Does the album’s focus on spirituality and personal growth signal a move away from materialistic displays? Perhaps the minimalist approach to lyrical fashion references points to a deeper message. Kanye’s own fashion choices during the Donda era, including the ubiquitous face masks, the spiked Balenciaga jacket, and the dramatic vow renewal ceremony with Kim Kardashian, offer further clues. These visual statements, while not explicitly mentioned in the album’s lyrics, contribute significantly to the overall narrative of Donda. They suggest a continued engagement with high fashion, albeit in a more nuanced and performance-driven manner.
While Donda may not provide the extensive fashion lexicon of previous albums, its subtle references and Kanye’s own sartorial choices continue to intrigue. The album invites listeners to look beyond the surface, exploring the complex interplay between music, fashion, and personal expression that defines Kanye West’s artistic vision. The lack of explicit name-dropping doesn’t diminish Kanye’s influence; instead, it suggests a more mature and considered approach to fashion, one that speaks volumes through visual cues and carefully chosen collaborations.
