Kanye West's new clothing label has won the seal of approval from a British design expert who has declared the hip-hop star will soon be a major force within the fashion industry.
The rapper is currently working on the project with British designer Louise Goldin and is expected to launch the line at New York Fashion Week later this year (11).
West has taken advice from Goldin's former tutor Louise Wilson, a professor at top London fashion college Central Saint Martins, and she has warned critics not to dismiss his upcoming debut collection.
She tells Britain's The Guardian, "I can confirm that Kanye has been to visit me twice at Saint Martins and we have briefly discussed this collaboration. His visit was in part to employ interns for his label, and it's important to mention that he's supported our fashion school and made an immediate donation to Saint Martins, which perhaps further demonstrates his passion for the industry.
"I've known him for two years now and he's incredibly knowledgeable about fashion, he's a global phenomenon and a very interesting person. I think we can expect a well-considered collection, you wouldn't expect less from a pair of professionals and I warn against dismissing it in haste."
Wilson also insists West is playing a large part in the design process: "There are those who might assume Louise will be doing all the work and Kanye is just the face, I don't believe this will be the case - he researches thoroughly and is hands on and committed to his work."
The professor also laughed off rumours the star ever applied to study at the college, adding, "We have never rejected him from our fashion course at Saint Martins, because he has never applied. But I suspect he would like to."