Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
West is best at pop-up
US HIP-HOP star Kanye West is reportedly climbing his way out of debt via exclusive pop-up stores, including one in Bree Street in the city centre which had hundreds of fans queuing for hours yesterday.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian’s husband launched 21 pop-up stores worldwide selling merchandise to accompany his seventh album The Life of Pablo released this year.
The clothing range reflects West’s large ego with slogans like “I love you like Kanye loves Kanye”.
Another slogan: “Any rumour you ever heard about me is true and legendary.”
CNN yesterday reported that West “may be well on his way to settling that massive debt he tweeted about” earlier this year.
“In February, West said he was $53 million in debt, a year after he said trying to launch his fashion line had put him $16m into the hole,” reported CNN.
“In March, West had a popup store in New York which reportedly brought in $1m over three days.”
West’s pop- up stores will run until tomorrow evening in Cape Town, Australian cities Melbourne and Sydney, as well as in Singapore and European cities include Berlin, Amsterdam and London. The rest are located in the US.
West fans around the world posted pictures on social media of themselves and the goods they purchased at the stores.
In Cape Town fans were queuing at the 107 Bree Street shop entrance, snaking their way down Longmarket Street. Inside the shop, Saajieda Bawa was shopping for clothing with her daughters Zayaan, 17, and Zahraa, 15.
“I’m just here to swipe the card,” said the mother.
“It doesn’t really matter what I think, it’s what they want. We got back from Italy two weeks ago. There’s not a single store in Europe that has any of his clothes.
“They are all totally sold out.”
Zayaan said she found out via an Instagram post that West was selling his clothes in Cape Town.
“I like his clothing. I think it’s cool we can buy this without going overseas.”
Zahraa said they bought Pablo jackets, at a cost of R3 645 each, and T-shirts costing R540 to R790 each.
Tinashe Sibeko, from Johannesburg and studying law at UCT, said he bought a cap for R485 and “stuff for my family”.
“I think it’s (the range) very limited but I think that was the point of the range.
“I think he has done a good job of it,” said Sibeko.
“The prices are doable. I would come again.
“I’m a huge fan and there are no stores selling his clothes in Africa.”
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