He made two visits...
Jason Gregory
16:21 29th September 2011

Kanye West spent £14,000 during two visits to a fabric store in East London, it has emerged.

The rapper bought zips and fabric for his new womenswear collection during the trips to London Trimmings, which is situated in Whitechapel.

Owner Ashraf Loonat, 31, told BBC Newsbeat that he couldn't believe it when the rapper first visited unannounced and without a large entourage.

“He was very polite, interested in what we had to say," he said.

"What was really good was when I asked him [Kanye] why he was here himself he said, 'I want to work from the ground upwards, I don't want to leave it to someone else.'"

Wholesaler Ashraf Loonat said West also had a cup of tea – one sugar – during the visit.

West was shopping for fabrics for his as-yet-unnamed clothing line, which is set to debut at Paris Fashion Week this Saturday (October 1).

Details of West's collection with British fashion designer Louise Goldin first surfaced earlier this year.

Professor Louise Wilson, the director of the MA in fashion course at Central Saint Martins, told the Guardian she had advised West and that he had made a donation to the college.

"I can confirm that Kanye has been to visit me twice at Saint Martins and we have briefly discussed this collaboration," she said.

"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.”

Professor Wilson went on to describe West as a “global phenomenon and a very interesting person”, and said she expected the pair's collection to be “well-considered”.

Music Stars With Fashion Lines

  • Jay-Z created Rocawear alongside Damon Dash in 1999. Although the rapper’s hip-hop career generates him a handsome income, his clothes are where it’s at: Rocawear enjoys an annual turnover of $700m.

  • It was perhaps inevitable that someone formerly known as Posh Spice would one day turn to fashion, so it was no surprise when Victoria Beckham launched her first range VB Rocks in 2004. Since then she’s unveiled a sunglasses range, as well as a more expansive collective in 2008.

  • You could probably walk into any high street store and find yourself Kings Of Leon’s wardrobe for about £40, but that didn’t stop the Nashville band from cashing in with their own range with Surface To Air in 2009.

  • Ask anyone when Oasis arrived in the early 90s if they though Liam Gallagher would one day release a clothing line, they would have probably spat lager in your face. But the younger sibling has done so, and Pretty Green, which now has stores in London, Manchester and Glasgow, has not done too badly.

  • Kanye’s spent years bigging up his clothing line Pastelle before it folded in 2010 despite having not released anything. Thankfully, the rapper did put out a limited run of Air Yeezys and has since collaborated on a trainer line with Louis Vuitton.

  • After refusing to design clothes for Topshop, the Gossip singer designed a plus size line for Evans in 2009.

  • Taking a break from singing, Lily Allen decided that fashion was the next step. The singer previously designed a successful clothing range for New Look in 2007 and now owns her own own clothing store ‘Lucy In Disguise’ with her sister.

  • The Rolling Stone unveiled a collection alongside Liberty of London in 2009. As you would expect from someone who has lived life on the wild side, it’s a little out there.

  • P Diddy was one of the first rappers to see the opportunities and money that was in fashion. ‘Sean Combs’ was founded in 1998 and has now become one of the leading men's clothing lines in America.

  • With the helping hand of her daughter, Madonna launched her juniors’ clothing line ‘Material Girl’ in 2010. Kelly Osbourne and Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen have both modelled for campaigns.

  • The Aussie singer decided to lend her hand at designing. Minogue’s ‘Love Kylie’, is a collection of lingerie with the tag line ‘there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence!’.

  • Justin Timberlake and childhood friend Trace Ayala set up their clothing line ‘William Rast’ in 2005. The line includes jackets, cashmere sweaters, jeans and polo shirts.

  • The American singer designed a line of summer inspired dresses and outfits in partnership with Walmart in 2010.

  • JLS teamed up with X Factor winner Alexndra Burke to launch their 2KX, a selection of clothing aimed at both men and women.

  • Pharrell Williams is the co-founder of two fashion labels Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. The lines include T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, knits, denim, suits and shirts.

  • With the help of designer, Max Azria, Miley Cyrus cracked the teen market with a rage of affordable clothes in Walmart.

  • As well as deal with Reebox, 50 Cent has a successful clothing line with 'G-Unit Clothing Company' set up in 2003.

  • The rapper launched his clothing line ‘Vokal’ in 2001, which includes clothing for both men and women.

  • Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B was set up in 2004 and has now become a firm favourite amongst celebrities including Paris Hilton, Teri Hatcher and Nicole Kidman.

  • The U2 frontman took a risk when he launched his ethical clothing range ‘Edun’ in 2005. Set up with his wife Ali Hewson, Bono hit a financial crisis with the company late last year.

  • Is there anything that Beyonce Knowles can't do? In 2006 Beyonce and her mother set up their successful clothing line House of Deréon.

  • Fergie has designed a number of collections for Kipling and Brown Shoes.

  • Trying his hand at another talent, The Libertines singer was recruited by fashion label Goi-Goi in 2006 to create his own range of clothing. Doherty has also recently set up his

  • Jennifer Lopez set up her ‘lifestyle brand’ ‘J-LO’ in 2003, which includes everything from women’s clothing, swimwear and fragrances.

  • The pregnant singer has designed her own range of maternity clothing as well as her own ‘lifestyle’ collection.

  • Gene Simmons' ‘Moneybag Clothing Line’ includes a selection of jumpers, t-shirts and jeans.

  • The Black Eyed Peas’ frontman put his fashion background to use when he launched his own collection of off beat suits.

  • The power twins have carved out a unique fashion market for themselves. As well as teaming up with a number of designers, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have their own fashion empire worth over $1 billion dollars.

  • As well as a successful cosmetics line, the singer set up her Jessica Simpson Collection in 2009.

  • The Maroon 5 frontman followed in other musicians steps and launched his clothing line 222 last in 2010.

  • The heiress has designed a number of purses and bags as well as settin up her multi-million pound clothing line in early 2004.

  • The singer now has two fashion labels; Stuff by Hilary Duff and Femme For DKNY Jeans.

  • Travis Barker’s’ ‘Famous Stars and Strips’ accessory/apparel company began in 1999 and now sells a range of street and skater gear.

  • The Green Day frontman and his wife Adrienne Armstrong set up eco-friendly boutique 'Adeline Street' in 2005.

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