This week, the ongoing conflict between Kanye West and his partners Adidas and Gap continues.
Ye stated in an interview with Bloomberg that after his existing contracts with the German sportswear company and the apparel shop expire in 2026 and 2030, respectively, he intends to move away from having corporate partners for his Yeezy brand.
“It’s time for me to go it alone,” West told Bloomberg. “It’s fine. I made the companies money. The companies made me money. We created ideas that will change apparel forever. Like the round jacket, the Foam Runner, the slides that have changed the shoe industry. Now it’s time for Ye to make the new industry. No more companies standing in between me and the audience.”
West has recently criticized Adidas, his current business partner, for allegedly “blatantly copying” his designs, particularly with the AdiFOM Q and the Adilette 22, which are identical to his creations. Similarly, West has complained about Gap, claiming that the retailer stole designs from his Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga collection.
Earlier this month, Ye announced plans for Yeezy stores and Donda campuses to be established across the nation during a social media rant. Additionally, Ye disclosed to Bloomberg that he is collaborating with former Adidas CEO Eric Liedtke, who currently runs the plant-based clothing line Unless Collective, to assist realize his idea.