By BEN DETRICK
Published: February 18, 2011
KANYE WEST spent New York Fashion Week under a self-imposed cone of silence, refusing to talk to the news media. Yet somehow, he became a spectacle: his every move was chronicled by a cloud of bloggers, Twitter users, fashion reporters and paparazzi. Here’s how he spent the week, starting on Feb. 10.
DAY 1 Mr. West begins Fashion Week at GQ’s Best New Menswear Designer show at the Ace Hotel, wearing a black motorcycle jacket, a white T-shirt emblazoned with an image of Muhammad Ali, and Cartier aviator sunglasses.
Lays down media embargo to a party reporter from Women’s Wear Daily. “I can’t really... no questions,” he says, at the sight of a tape recorder. “I’ve been burnt too many times.” Security detail enforces edict.
Mr. West lingers at the show, making small talk with fashion executives and mildly excited fans. Afterward, he decamps to the Mercer Hotel where, as The New York Post reported that morning, he is recording an album with Jay-Z.
DAY 2 He’s a no-show at the day’s fashion shows, according to the collective wisdom of the fashion media. Instead, shows up at the Knicks-Lakers game at Madison Square Garden, wearing a pair of red-and-black Air Jordans and a gray hoodie. Fashion crowd approves. Also sitting courtside (that’s front row in N.B.A. parlance) is Anna Wintour, who is largely ignored by the “beer-and-shot” crowd, according to The New York Daily News.
DAY 3 Hits the shows. First stop: Alexander Wang at Pier 94, wearing black leather jacket, leather jeans, sunglasses and big gold watch. Seated next to the model Erin Wasson. When camera frenzy ensues, turns his back on photographers and hides behind the bleachers, according to The New York Post. Next show: Band of Outsiders, where his “I don’t do press” mantra is repeated to WWD. As lights dim, yells “Aiiight,” according to Refinery29’s Twitter feed. At night, at the Standard hotel for Purple magazine’s customary Fashion Week party. Hemmed in corner, behind security, for most of the evening. “No way, no press,” a bodyguard says.
DAY 4 Skips Grammy Awards for Fashion Week. Attends Tory Burch at Lincoln Center, dressed in stonewashed jeans, black leather bomber, flannel shirt and different pair of sunglasses. While still at Lincoln Center, swings by Diet Pepsi event, unveiling a slimmer can. Later that evening, while Mick Jagger performs at the Grammys, he signs onto Twitter (where he’s been quiet) and posts: “Mick Jagger is crazy fresh!!! #OGSWAG” (the abbreviation for “original gangster swagger”).
DAY 5 Valentine’s Day. WWD Style puts Mr. West on its cover. “Kanye West may be ducking interviews and trying to avoid photos, but he’s certainly been no stranger to the front row,” it reads.
DAY 6 A chair marked “Kanye West” sits empty at Rodarte, as Sofia Coppola, Kirsten Dunst and array of fashion editors wait. Mr. West arrives and show starts seconds later. Continues to spurn reporters, but gives Amy Odell, fashion blogger for New York magazine, a hug. “Aw, you look so sad,” he says, after rebuffing the reporter’s questions. Poses with Bryanboy, the outré fashion blogger, outside.
A little before 11 p.m., arrives at intimate party for Alexander Wang’s new boutique in SoHo. Yawns while waiting for Lauryn Hill to perform. Ends night at Mondrian hotel, where he is the guest of honor for V Man magazine’s party. Cover features Mr. West with bills stuffed in his mouth, shot by Karl Lagerfeld. Dollar bills, real and fake, rain down on crowd. Mr. West seen in corner eating KFC.
DAY 7 Heads to Jeremy Scott presentation at Milk Studios in red leather jacket, baseball cap by streetwear label Actual Pain and black high-tops identified by blogs as Ann Demeulemeester sneakers. “Uh @kanyewest got the whole @MilkStudios elevator to himself,” Refinery29 posts on Twitter.
DAY 8 Mr. West’s trail goes dark as Fashion Week draws to a close. Come back in September.
Glad you like Yeezy too
ALL OF THE LIGHTS
i can imagine them talking about fashion over KFC 
