Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

Kanye West is reportedly the victim of a signature forgery scandal.

As TMZ reports, a source told the publication that a former friend and G.O.O.D. Music associate, Malik Yusef, secretly contacted designer Philipp Plein to arrange a Kanye West performance for the brand's New York Fashion Week presentation happening on Monday. Yusef reportedly posed as West's representative, negotiating a $900,000 deal to perform at Plein's runway show. TMZ even obtained what appears to be a contract document showing a Kanye West signature, presumably forged by the individual in question.

As rumors mounted about Kanye's appearance at the Philipp Plein show, Kim Kardashian moved to set the record straight, tweeting, “He’s not performing at any fashion show this season. Just a rumor.”

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

The New York Times reported that invitations promised a three-course meal and a “performance by Kanye West not to be missed.” The Times has confirmed that Kanye knew nothing about the proposed performance, and that $750,000 was wired to “Donda S. House Inc.” Donda's House was a non-profit formed by Kanye, however the organization changed its name to Art of Culture, Inc. in 2018. In a statement to Pitchfork, Art of Culture's co-founder and executive director Donnie Smith denied any involvement.

Pitchfork also reported that a further $150,000 was wired to Burundi Partlow Consulting, a Chicago-based company run by music industry figure Burundi Partlow.

Highsnobiety has reached out to Philipp Plein for comment. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.

We Recommend
  • UGG’s Hybrid Cowboy Boot Is Tall, Chunky & Wild West-Worthy
    • Sneakers
  • This Deliciously Textured AF1 Is No Plain Jane
    • Sneakers
  • North West's Tyler, the Creator Cosplay Isn't a Costume
    • Style
  • Converse's Insanely Tall Cowboy Boots Are Wild West-Worthy
    • Sneakers
  • Mr Porter and CHERRY LA's Collab Is a Roadtrip Out West
    • Style
What To Read Next
  • Brooks' Best Dadcore Running Shoe Just Got Cooler
    • Sneakers
  • adidas' Classic Sneaker Gets Its Well-Deserved Flowers
    • Sneakers
  • Nike's New Weird AF1 Sneaker Has Gone Coastal
    • Sneakers
  • This Bauhaus Coffee-Making Set Is So Hi-Tech, The Kettle Has Wi-Fi
    • Art & Design
  • Meet Tyler the Creator's Le Fleur Jogger, an All-New Super-Flat Converse Sneaker
    • Sneakers
  • Nike & Sacai Are Giving Nothing, In a Good Way
    • Style