Kanye West forged a 10-year partnership with Gap to bring his creative vision to the 51-year-old struggling retail brand.
The collaboration, announced on Friday (June 25), is a full-circle moment for West who worked at Gap as a teenager. ‘Ye rapped about the experience on “Spaceship,” off his debut album, The College Dropout.
“We are excited to welcome Kanye back to the Gap family as a creative visionary, building on the aesthetic and success of his YEEZY brand and together defining a next-level retail partnership,” said Mark Breitbard, Global Head of Gap Brand.
YEEZY AND GAP FORM PARTNERSHIP #WESTDAYEVER pic.twitter.com/NyxgfYTjJM
— ye (@kanyewest) June 26, 2020
According to TMZ, the collaboration kicks off this month, and West will have an option to renew after 5 years. The fashion retailer reportedly believes West’s line will bring in $1 billion in revenue.
Despite collaborating with Gap, West retains sole ownership of the YEEZY brand, which is valued at more than $2 billion. The YEEZY Gap merch will be unveiled in stores, and online, in 2021.
In other news, West and Kid Cudi released a teaser from the upcoming Kids See Ghost animated show directed by Takashi Murakami.
Watch the preview below.