Longtime Kanye West affiliate Don C has joined Mitchell & Ness as its new creative director of premium goods – following years of collabs with the popular sportswear company.
WWD revealed the news on Wednesday (March 1) following a press release. In his new role, Don will continue to bring his influence to products such as NBA shorts and headwear, as he recently did with their 2001 luxury Just Don caps collaboration.
One of the first projects on the docket is the MLB “Cooperstown Collection” that will launch around the MLB season opener in April. The collection will see Just Don premium shorts celebrating MLB’s most recent expansion teams – Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays.
“Working with Mitchell & Ness is a dream come true,” Don said in a statement. “I grew up on throwbacks and sportswear, so it’s an honor to be able to impact something that affected me so much through my creative journey and love of sports. I’m looking forward to storytelling and creating more timeless products alongside the Mitchell & Ness team.”
A New Dynasty…
With the 1st overall pick in the 2023 Creative Director Draft, Mitchell & Ness selects Don C. of Chicago, Illinois. pic.twitter.com/eBeB5OOPUe
— Mitchell & Ness (@mitchell_ness) February 28, 2023
Kevin Wulff, CEO of Mitchell & Ness, added: “Don is truly an icon and visionary, and after having worked with him for many years we’re ecstatic to have him formally join the Mitchell & Ness family. Fans of the brand can look forward to exciting new products across all leagues that will fuse the brand’s heritage with Don C’s cutting-edge creative vision.”
The move arrives one year after Don C was named creative strategy and design advisor for the Chicago Bulls.
Meanwhile, Don’s pal Kanye West is busy with his own fashion endeavors – having reportedly reached an agreement with adidas that would see the company unload the remaining designs in the Yeezy collection.
According to reports from multiple outlets, the new contract would allow adidas to release and promote the existing product created under their previous deal with West. It does not make any provisions for a continuation of the collection.
Reports put the value of the remaining Yeezy x adidas products at approximately $500million. The deal would allow the athletic company to make up for the projected loss it reported last month.
adidas has blamed Kanye directly for the financial loss that came as a result of the brand severing their deal, which so far is estimated to be around $1.3billion in 2023.
