A Complete Timeline of Kanye West's Fashion Shows, From DW to Yeezy Season

When: Oct. 1, 2011
Where: Paris

Before Yeezy Season, Ye tried his hand at womenswear. Named after the initials of his late mother, Donda West, DW was Ye’s first fully-realized foray into fashion. Shown off the official Paris Fashion Week calendar, it commanded A-list guests like Anna Wintour and featured super models like Karlie Kloss and Chanel Iman on the runway. The pieces themselves included a healthy mix of fur, leather, and embellishments. There were colorblocked trousers, mummy-like dresses, and heels designed by Giuseppe Zanotti. Despite the buzz surrounding the show, it was met with mostly negative reviews from critics.

When: March 5, 2012
Where: Paris

The final collection from Ye’s womenswear line was shown one year later. The pared down, 20-look show incorporated many of the same elements as the first show, but was more refined. Monochromatic black looks accentuated by exotic leathers and fur made up a majority of the line. The more concise approach resulted in a much warmer reception than its predecessor. Despite the promising improvements, the line quietly shuttered shortly after and was never produced.

When: February 12, 2015
Where: New York City

Made in collaboration with Adidas, Yeezy Season One ushered in the minimal, earth-toned aesthetic that would define Ye’s output (and fashion at large) for years to come. The line heavily referenced military surplus gear and workwear. This show, a performance piece created with Vanessa Beecroft, is also remembered for its soundtrack: the original version of “Wolves” featuring Vic Mensa and Sia that later appeared on The Life of Pablo. While the collection received a lukewarm response from critics at the time, it proved to be massively influential and ahead of the curve. Ye had showcased his own fashion army.

When: Sept. 16, 2015
Where: New York City

Yeezy Season 2 built upon the established codes of the first season. Once again, Ye worked with Vanessa Beecroft on the presentation. However, Adidas was missing from the equation. Unlike Yeezy Season 1, they did not produce the clothing. Still, the idea were largely the same. A cavalry of models stood in formations dressed in monochromatic gear that ranged from oversized hoodies to flowy tank tops, to semi-translucent bodycon suits.

When: Feb. 11, 2016
Where: New York City

Ye’s biggest fashion show to date was Yeezy Season 3. Held at Madison Square Garden during New York Fashion Week, the show doubled as a listening event for The Life of Pablo. A decade later, it is considered a definitive moment in Ye’s historic career. For more on what went down, check our our oral history here.

When: Sept. 7, 2016
Where: New York City

Yeezy Season 4 is more remembered for the sweltering temperatures than the clothing itself. The presentation took place at Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York City. A slew of models primarily dressed in bodysuits and other shapes and sizes of athleisure gear surrounded the runway. Multiple models who walked broke their heels in the process. Others passed out due to heat exhaustion. The unfortunate conditions and shoddy organization of the show were met with a less-than-stellar reception from critics.

When: Feb. 15, 2017
Where: New York City

Yeezy Season 5 got things back on track. The output was also decidedly more sportswear-focused than previous seasons. Looks were shown at Pier 59 Studios on giant screens before real models ultimately appeared for a finale walk. The show provided the debut of the popular Calabasas track pants and crewnecks that paired perfectly with the “Wave Runner” Yeezy 700s. Other new additions included Gore-Tex parkas, denim jeans, camo cargos, and utility shirts. Sticking to the formula of previous Yeezy Season shows, Season 5 also debuted new music, a remix of J Holiday’s “Bed” by The-Dream. Overall, Yeezy Season 5 provided the most practical clothing from the line to date.

When: March 2, 2020
Where: Paris

After a three-year hiatus, Ye returned to the runway in Paris at Espace Niemeyer for Yeezy Season 8. The line returned to form with 18 monochromatic, earth-toned, workwear-inspired silhouettes for women. Highlights included cropped puffer coats with built-in balaclava hoods and jackets with fur sleeves. The show was accompanied by live music, courtesy of the Sunday Service choir, and also included an impromptu performance of “What I Do” from North West.

When: Oct. 3, 2022
Where: Paris

Ye’s last formal fashion show was also his most controversial thus far. Set just weeks after Ye’s split with Gap ,the surprise presentation during Paris Fashion Week was meant to represent a new beginning for Ye’s fashion line. It is most known for thebacklash from the “White Lives Matter” T-shirt that was worn in it. The item prompted Adidas to review its partnership with Ye. The successful collaborative relationship was terminated by Adidas later that month. Controversies aside, Yeezy Season 9’s design language featured the exaggerated proportions, dark color palette, and more avant-garde silhouettes that Ye had championed heavily at the time. It was designed with Hood By Air’s Shayne Oliver. High-profile models in the show included Alyx 1017 9sm founder Matthew M. Williams, Michèle Lamy, Naomi Campbell, and Lauryn Hill’s daughter Selah Marley.