New York (AFP) - Fresh from hogging headlines at the Grammys, rap star Kanye West grabbed all the attention at New York Fashion Week on Thursday, presiding over a star-studded celebrity launch of a custom-designed shoe for Adidas.
His curvaceous, reality star wife Kim Kardashian sat in the front row with their daughter North West, alongside music superstars Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, making the launch of his gray-and-white sneaker the talk of the town.
In his New York Fashion Week debut, the sartorially obsessed West even pulled in Anna Wintour, the steely editor-in-chief of American Vogue, who graces only the biggest-hitting fashion shows with her presence.
The Yeezy 750 Boost goes on sale in the United States on Valentine's Day and retails for US$350 (S$475). West streamed his New York show to dozens of cinemas around the world, including in Johannesburg, Sydney and London.
There were complaints that the extravaganza started late and about the long queue outside in the frigid cold, but overall the event scored maximum impact.
West, who once teamed up with Nike before switching to Adidas to create his own line, has previously unveiled fashion collaborations in Paris.
The sneaker laces up to the ankle and at first a limited release of 9,000 pairs will go on sale. Pictures from the event showed models lined up in rows sporting sweatshirts, tracksuit bottoms and shorts in muted colors.
In an interview with broadcast personality Ryan Seacrest on Wednesday, West said more shoes will be sold after the initial run.
"Just be patient. I know you can run up on this 14-year-old kid and take his Yeezys, but just be patient because we'll make more Yeezys," he told Seacrest.
"Eventually, everybody who wants to get Yeezys will get Yeezys. Adidas has promised me that because there's so many kids that have wanted them but couldn't get them."
The famously mercurial West stole the spotlight at the music industry awards last Sunday when he rushed toward the stage as innovative rock artist Beck accepted the award for Album of the Year.
West was upset that Beyonce had not won the accolade, calling the Recording Academy's decision "disrespectful."
People magazine lauded another debut by actress Jamie Brewer of American Horror Story fame. The 30-year-old TV star made history as the first ever model with Down syndrome to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.
She was part of designer Carrie Hammer's Role Models Not Runway Models campaign.
Brewer strutted confidently down the runway in a sleek bespoke black A-line dress. She later told reporters, "I thought I was going to be (nervous), but honestly, I just channelled it into excitement."
