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Kanye West has pulled out all the stops for the promotion of his highly-anticipated 10th album, Donda. Currently previewing the record via a series of live-streamed events, West has given his fans multi-media experiences informed by his love of fine art and high fashion. Last night at Chicago s Soldier Field stadium, West hosted his third and arguably most personal listening session. On stage was a to-scale replica of his childhood; his hometown serves as the backdrop as he reenacted his wedding vows to ex-wife Kim Kardashian. It all made for a highly intimate and autobiographical performance. Still, West s stylized reimagining of his past reflects fashion s present.
Balenciaga s creative director, Demna Gvasalia, has served as art director for West s recent appearances, and his influence was all over the Soldier Field performance, particularly its finale. When Kardashian emerged in her veiled bridal finery, she wore the closing look of Gvasalia s acclaimed haute couture debut. Originally presented on model Awar Odhiang during July s show, which marked the Balenciaga brand s first couture collection since 1968, the gown was striking in its simplicity. Backstage, Gvasalia told Vogue s Sarah Mower that his aim was elevation, to bring "couture allure, posture, and attitude" to the streetwise aesthetic for which he d become known.
West, who was in the audience of the Balenciaga show, attempts something similar with his Donda experience. Billed as a creative rebirth—West wraps the concert by setting himself ablaze phoenix style—he s picking apart his persona. When he and Kardashian tied the knot in 2014, their wedding came with a media blitz (and a joint Vogue cover). Now that they re friendly exes, Kimye can repurpose their most significant moments to enrich their current projects. Reimagining your nuptials with the season s most talked-about couture collection is one way to get people talking. The whole collaboration acts as a signifier for the next chapter of Kimye. Till death do them part, indeed.