Kanye West Terminating Partnership with Gap

Kanye West declared Thursday morning that he was ending his partnership with Gap, a reality the retailer conceded hours later in a memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

West is accusing Gap of breaching several contractual agreements related to the management of his Yeezy brand.

The WSJ article cites a letter from his attorneys, which asserts the company promised to open five Yeezy Gap stores by July 31, 2023, but has not yet opened a dedicated store. The letter also contends the retailer has been too slow in making Yeezy items available at brick-and-mortar locations.

In the Gap memo written to employees, Brand President and CEO Mark Breitbard said Yeezy items already in the pipeline would continue to be released. He added, however, that while the company shares a vision with West, “how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned.”

The relationship between West – also known as “Ye” – and Gap had been rapidly deteriorating in recent weeks. In late August, he took umbrage at the retailer for using traditional hangers and plinths to display his fashions. He has also been broadcasting assorted beefs with Gap and Adidas on social media, accusing the latter of ripping off a shoe design.

Acknowledging its fraying relationship with the music mogul, Adidas says it’s conversing with West on how to continue the partnership, according to the WSJ. The contract between the two parties runs through 2026.

West’s sneaker and apparel business with Adidas and Gap is reportedly valued between $3.2 billion and $4.7 billion.

Read more at The Wall Street Journal.