Rapper Kanye West has revealed plans to extend his fashion label Yeezy with an architecture division "to make the world better".
The hip-hop artist and producer, who has been vocal about his passion for architecture for many years, announced the move on Twitter yesterday.
"We're starting a Yeezy architecture arm called Yeezy home," West tweeted.
"We're looking for architects and industrial designers who want to make the world better."
Yeezy Home will form part of the American rapper's fashion company developed in collaboration with sportswear brand Adidas. The hugely popular apparel, which often sells out immediately, first launched in 2015 and is now in its sixth season.
The architecture extension will fulfill a longtime ambition of West's. He has been very outspoken about his interest in architecture and design since establishing celebrity with his music, in interviews and on social media. During a visit to Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2013, he told students that "the world can be saved through design".
Prior to establishing Yeezy, he set up his own design company named DONDA with the aim to assemble a team of architects, designers and directors to work with him.
While some may be skeptical of Kanye's expertise in the architecture field, "hip-hop architect" Michael Ford spoke to Dezeen about the importance of black musicians like West and Pharrell Williams, who heavily promote their involvement in architecture, in improving diversity in the profession.
West and Williams aren't the only famous faces expanding their repertoire into design, with others including Tinie Tempah, Will.i.am, Lenny Kravitz, Brad Pitt, Vanilla Ice and even astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
West's longtime collaborator, fashion designer Virgil Abloh, recently unveiled a collection for IKEA – a company the rapper has also expressed an interest in working with.
Portrait of Kanye West is courtesy of David Shankbone.
