Kanye West walks the run way for Balenciaga at Paris Fashion Week

It took guests lining Balenciaga’s mud-filled Paris show space mere seconds to recognize that walk. Stomping down the brand’s sludge-splattered runway in Parc des Expositions was none other than controversial rapper Kanye West, who opened a show dedicated to individualism wearing leathers and a game face to rival any model.

With his cap pulled low and his hood up, the enigmatic rapper and Demna collaborator – who now goes by just Ye – was in his typical paparazzi-dodging mode. Layered up in all-black motocross-meets-military separates, he represented the brand’s new mission to step away from the labels the industry so very much likes to use.

“I’ve decided to no longer explain my collections and verbalise my designs, but to express a state of mind,” said Demna in his press notes. “Fashion is a visual art and all we need is for it to be seen through someone’s eyes.” Much like any creative outlet, he argued, fashion should not need an explainer to sell it: “You either like it or not.” Watch Kanye West tear up the Balenciaga mud runway below!