FASHION

Second Kanye Line a 'Bit Better’

Paris show improves on 2011's embarrassing flop.

Arguably the Beau Brummell of our times, Kanye West burnished his reputation as a tastemaker by releasing his second fashion collection Tuesday at Paris Fashion Week. The show was a rebound attempt after a debut effort crashed and burned like a repurposed Maybach 57S last year. At a show in Paris that featured plenty of leather pants and go-karts, West premiered his designs in front of a celebrity audience that included Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, and Sean Combs. At one point in the show, Anna Wintour is reported to have smiled, meaning that whether or not the collection is received well (which is still up in the air), Kanye can live a long, happy life.