Confirmed: Kanye West is Designing a Collection

After a week of Internet speculation, Elle UK received confirmation that rapper Kanye West will be launching his own clothing line. Details are still quite scarce, but confirmation was given by an interesting source, Louise Wilson, the MA fashion director at London's Central Saint Martins, the university known for producing talents like Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Ricardo Tisci, John Galliano and a Kanye fave, Celine's Phoebe Philo. Wilson mentioned that West has visited the storied educational institution twice for advice, and he takes fashion and it's design quite seriously. Another interesting fact? West's line will be a collaboration with British designer Louise Goldin, known for her body-hugging knits, less chunky cardigan and more sexy secretary. Goldin, though, is a womenswear designer, which begs the question, will Kanye produce a line for men or for women (or both)? Wilson demurred to cough up any further facts, but did say, "I've known him for two years now and he's incredibly knowledgeable about fashion, he's a global phenomenon and a very interesting person. I think we can expect a well-considered collection, you wouldn't expect less from a pair of professionals and I warn against dismissing it in haste. There are those who might assume Louise will be doing all the work and Kanye is just the face, I don't believe this will be the case--he researches thoroughly and is hands on and committed to his work." Goldin is certainly an unexpected collaborator, and Wilson certainly give him a great deal of praise. The stakes are high for West, but they always have been, and he rarely disappoints.