(REUTERS – 7TH MARCH) Reality star Kim Kardashian and hip hop stars came out in force to throw their weight behind fellow rapper Kanye West for his second Ready-To-Wear line in Paris on Tuesday (March 6).
Rappers Diddy, Common and 20-year-old Azealia Banks joined R&B singers Alicia Keys, her husband music producer Swizz Beatz and Cassie to see the show.
Diddy, who last month won an Academy Award for his role as executive producer on "Undefeated" about a U.S. high school football team, said he didn't deserve the honours but director T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay should take full credit.
Still, the rapper, producer and actor who starred in "Monster's Ball" opposite Halle Berry and the comedy "Get Him To The Greek" has not been shy about his intentions for Oscar gold glory for acting.
"I don't look at it as me winning an Oscar (for documentary "Undefeated") or being able to take credit for that because the director T.J. (Martin) and the whole team, that created the movie, the Oscar really goes to them. I'm playing my Scorcese role, you produce a couple of movies, I'm a Harvey Weinstein Jr. and just producing some movies right now but I plan on winning one for acting in the future," the rapper, producer, and actor told told Reuters Television.
West's second line showed a greater understanding of the art and craft of design with the rapper's street style and to be expected hip-hop looks.
Fur and leather were on show everywhere and used on everything from coats, thigh high boots to oversized backpacks.
Whole looks were made of tough black leather from bomber jackets, skinny trousers and skirts. West even dabbled in a little bit of couture with peplums in one of the looks.
A duffle coat in fur and leather was on show as was a short oversized white fur coat, teamed with beige trousers and knee high boots, a staple of the collection.
The last look ended with model of the moment Puerto Rican Joan Smalls in a sheer black dress with polo neck and black alligator paneling on the front and back – mixing femininity and toughness in one dress.
Afterwards, West's friends said they were amazed by the fashion talents of the rapper-turned-designer.
"Kanye is a genius so I think that now, you know, he's always loved fashion so I think he's just finally bringing his own flavour and attitude to Paris, which I think is so great," said Kardashian, who added that Kanye's show was inspiring her to consider showing her own fashion line in the French capital.
"I'd say that this is one of the most amazing events and experiences and like, the journey about Kanye and him producing and making beats to us seeing his fashion line and I mean this is a great piece of work, this is art that he's doing. And to have the go karts come out (laughs) I wanted to hop in the go kart!" exclaimed fellow Chicago rapper Common.
Backstage, West appeared a picture of calm amongst the chaos after the show.
"You know, I'm taking baby steps, I'm just trying to respect the art and craft and learn. I'm just here to learn and express," he said.
Paris Fashion Week ends on Wednesday (March 7) with shows by Louis Vuitton and Elie Saab.
