Kid Cudi has embarked on an exciting new chapter.
On Friday, the 38-year-old multi-hyphenate unveiled his first official MOTR collection at Paris Fashion Week. Cudi—born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi—teased the event back in December, confirming the inaugural range would deliver unisex pieces that pushed “the boundaries of fashion.”
Cudi said he wanted to start his own fashion line about eight years ago, but abandoned the endeavor after becoming “discouraged” by the process. However, he revisited the idea in 2021, when he began conceptualizing a sci-fi film project. That same year, Cudi lost his good and previous collaborator Virgil Abloh, the founder of Off-White and the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s.
“There is no way I could have designed this collection without thinking about him every single fucking day,” Cudi told Vogue about the late creative. “Every day, it was like, ‘What would Virgil do? What decision would he make and how would he handle his team? What type of vibe would he have in the office?’ Because he was the ideal designer, he was the template. He was nice, personable, open and friendly with people on his team, helped other people and lifted other people up, gave them opportunities, left the door open behind him.”
According to Vogue, the MOTR presentation was held at a Parisian showroom, where insiders got a closer look at the fall/winter 2023 offerings. Items included everything from distressed polos and puffer vests to long tutu skirts and motorcycle jackets to Kurt Cobain-inspired knitwear and shaggy coats that nod to Cudi’s dog. The collection also delivers a solid grip of accessories and footwear, like faux fur caps with animal ears, oversized sneakers, and a shoulder bag that resembles a boom box.
“I want people to feel like they’re walking on stage when they’re wearing this brand,” Cudi told the magazine. “I want them to feel the feeling I get when I perform at Coachella. I want them to feel like superstars.”
He continued: “I am kind of just putting my hands in the paint and just making stuff, just making what I think is cool and trying to just follow that vision. ‘Is this something I would wear, that my friends would wear?’”
You can check out the MOTR fall/winter 2023 lookbook on Instagram.