Rapper feared more negative reviews for his clothing line

Kanye West reportedly banned all fashion critics from the preview of his second collection of DW Kanye West women’s clothing in Paris. The rapper’s previous line was widely panned by critics when it debuted on Paris catwalks last season, which apparently left the rapper-turned-designer feeling defensive.

“He cancelled last minute, saying, ‘I don’t know about this. I got treated unfairly by the press last time. Why would I want to do this?'” New York Times fashion writer Eric Wilson told the New York Daily News.

Regardless of the ban, critics were kinder to West’s designs this time around, though some took him to task for his use of fur and for borrowing perhaps too much inspiration from Givenchy. Rolling Stone’s Colleen Nika approved, noting that the new designs were a “marked improvement” and praising his improved tailoring.