• Kanye’s Shoe Deal with Stubbs & Wootton

Not only can fans expect Kanye West’s 5th solo album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, to hit stores in November, but they can also keep their eyes peeled for a line of loafers. Kanye has struck a shoe deal with Stubbs & Wootton to design his own loafer collection that is due out Spring 2011. Known for their European-style collection of slippers and loafers, Stubbs & Wootton add a unique twist to their line by adding a crested design on the toe box of their products. Having already worked with Nike and Louis Vuitton to design shoes, it was almost inevitable for Kanye to land another collaboration opportunity. With Kanye establishing a whole new look with his Rosewood Movement, it’s understandable that he chose to ink a deal with Stubbs & Wootton to design loafers.

Stubbs & Wootton “Classic” slippers (not Kanye’s collection)

• Turn Back Thursday: Pastelle Hoodie

Turn Back Thursday for this month reveals Kanye West wearing a hoodie from his now-defunct clothing line, Pastelle. When this specific advertisement was released, it was originally believed that Kanye’s clothing line would be called Mascott and would feature the Dropout Bear from his debut album, The College Dropout, as the brand’s logo. Mascott proved to be nothing but rumors and Pastelle (later changed to Past Tell Museum im 2008) became one of the most anticipated clothing lines from a rap artist. No matter what you referred to it as, the brand never made its way to retail stores and it was eventually revealed that Pastelle would never be released.

• Murakami x Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Duffel Bag

A day after his performance on Saturday Night Live, Kanye West was spotted in New York carrying the “Monogramouflage” duffel bag designed by Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton. The collaboration piece released back in 2008 and retailed for $1,930. In addition to the designer bag, Kanye wore a long zip coat that featured a fur body with leather sleeves, over a black low-cut shirt and black leather pants.

(more…)