PONDERING PRET-A-PORTER: Is Hip-hop good for fashion?

Minimalism n. 1. a style or technique that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity

Hip-hop and fashion have an interesting relationship at the current moment.  Much like a mother and her new born child, rap is nursing from the breast of fashion.  Fashion doesn't seem to mind the inspiration sought out from Milan and Paris and seems to enjoy the attention (Tom Ford was "completely flattered" by Jay Z naming a song after him on his new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail),  but come a certain point there won't be much left to do.  While we could examine the direct and indirect influences of fashion on rap, it is more interesting to look at the physical connections between fashion and rap, mainly collaborations.

Recently the collaboration between minimalist Parisian fashion house A.P.C. and rapper Kanye West has been making headlines for its minimalist designs (this isn't West's first foray in the fashion world).  Most notably having collaborated with Nike, Louis Vuitton and Giuseppe Zanotti, West also caused quite a stir when he presented a women's runway collection at Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear in Paris to less than stellar reviews with a followup in the Spring.  West tasked A.P.C.'s creative director Jean Touitou with creating a "kingdom of dopeness," but eventually just settled for a short sleeved hoodie, a long sleeved hoodie, a plain white t shirt, a graphic t shirt and denim.

Jay Z doesn't pop molly, he rocks Tom Ford

Overall a rather boring and unoriginal collaboration which quite frankly makes me question whether or not such pieces are worthy of being considered fashion.  Made up of basics which could be easily found at the Gap along with other equally average and accessible retailers, collaborations like this and rappers forays within the fashion world simply diminish the sanctity which makes up high fashion and haute couture.  Consequently, Jean Touitou believes that high fashion will go on the offensive against hip-hop: "Fashion killed rock and roll. Fashion killed contemporary art, and turned it vulgar. And if hip-hop artists are not careful it will also kill hip-hop."

Is Touitou right? Could couture be Kanye's ultimate demise? Let us know your opinions on fashion and its relationship with rap music in the comments below.

To view Kanye's collaboration with APC, click here: A.P.C. Store