Kanye West funds former employee's debut fashion collection
Former Yeezy employee Maisie Schloss has debuted the first collection for her womenswear brand Maisie Wilen, with financial support and mentorship from her one-time boss Kanye West.
Schloss is the first designer to receive funding as part of West's recently announced creative incubator, which will offer young designers financial assistance and guidance.
After graduating from Parsons School of Design, the young creative spent time working for a swimwear company, before getting a job at Yeezy where she worked as womenswear designer before launching her own brand.
"Kanye very generously offered to support me," Schloss told Dezeen. "He truly cares about sharing resources, creating opportunities for creatives to grow and be recognised."
Yeezy's influence can be seen in the "easy, wearable silhouettes" that form the base of the looks, which are presented in slinky jersey materials, double-layered power mesh and finished off with Yeezy footwear.
The Spring Summer 2020 collection features garments with animal-like prints and body-conscious cuts that are inspired by the "regimented, systematic, and repetitive" nature of rhythmic gymnastics and robotics.
Sleeves boast finger-loop detailing, inspired by Schloss's childhood memories of figure skating. "I love looking to materials not typically used for clothing," said Schloss.
Other pieces include snake-print-embossed vinyl outerwear, with large pockets and mock necks, alongside matching woven skirts and rubber-coated jersey.
Miniskirts with ruched detailing were layered over form-fitting leggings and paired with bodysuits in the same print.
Shirts in similar hues were punctuated with single button fastenings and elasticated waist-panels, alongside others with ruched detailing across the breast.
The collection was launched inside former industrial space Night Gallery in downtown Los Angeles, where models were positioned on plinths amongst the artwork, for friends and family of the brand to observe.
Kanye West has previously spoken about how he believes "the world can be saved through design".