Kanye West Shouldn’t Have Partnered W/ Gap For Apparel Line, Ex CEO Says: It Doesn’t Work For Someone Like Him

Kanye West

Kanye West Shouldn’t Have Partnered W/ Gap For Apparel Line, Ex CEO Says: It Doesn’t Work For Someone Like Him

Kanye West’s Yeezy x Gap line is a multi-million dollar success. But the former CEO of the popular apparel company reveals he warned Kanye West not to partner with it.

Mickey Drexler, who was the CEO of Gap from 1983 and 2002, told Yahoo Finance Live recently,

“I probably shouldn’t say this but I told him he shouldn’t do the deal because it doesn’t make any sense in my opinion.”

He added that despite the first product, a$200 puffer jacket, bringing in $7 million, it still wasn’t a good move for Kanye West.

 “I have a lot of friends at Gap still, but it doesn’t work for someone like Kanye. He is not a corporate person and Gap is a big corporation. So, I know the jacket sold out. They did $7 million on the jacket overnight. He is a smart guy but he shouldn’t have done it. And I don’t think they should have done it, either.”

Despite his thoughts, shares for Gap spiked 42% after news of Kanye West’s 10-year deal with the brand was first announced last June.  In a statement, Gap said the line features

“elevated basics for men, women, and kids at accessible price points.”

It said of Kanye West, who worked at a Gap retail store when he was a teenager,

 “Under West’s creative direction, the Yeezy design studio will develop the new line to deliver modern, elevated basics for men, women, and kids at accessible price points.” 

“Gap and Yeezy benefit as the business grows, with Yeezy receiving royalties and potential equity related to sales achievement.” 

The global head of Gap, Mark Breitbard, also expressed the company’s joy in bringing Kanye to the team.

“We are excited to welcome Kanye back to the Gap family as a creative visionary, building on the aesthetic and success of his Yeezy brand and together defining a next-level retail partnership.”

What are your thoughts on the former CEO of Gap disagreeing with Kanye West’s partnership? Comment and let us know.