Forever 21 Rips Off Kanye West
Kanye West has made it extra clear that he’s been trying to converse with the people at Payless for a long time — but there’s another budget-friendly brand he may want to have a chat with first.
The Internet recently took notice of a men’s tee being sold by Forever 21 that looks suspiciously similar to the rapper’s highly coveted Life of Pablo tour merchandise. The SDC by Simon De Cyrene tee, which retails for $32, features a back graphic in the same style as West’s Life of Pablo tour tees: oversize, Old English lettering arranged in a dome-like shape. It’s available in a dusty red color and black and reads “Simon de Cyrene for the World,” in reference to the man who carried Jesus Christ’s cross prior to his crucifixion. Trading Yeezus for Jesus, eh?
In comparison, West’s tees include lines from his songs.
As Jezebel points out, even the Pablo tees aren’t technically totally original: They were created by L.A.-based artist Cali Thornhill DeWitt, who was inspired by Chicano memorial sweatshirts. So it’d be pretty hard for West or DeWitt to go after Forever 21 about ripping them off, blatant as it may be. Then again, would West even care? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery — and if there’s anyone who thrives on praise, it’s Kanye West.
We’ve tried to reached Forever 21 for a comment and will update this story when we hear back.
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