<p>Kanye West and retail brand Gap announced an end to their partnership on Thursday, with the artist now known as Ye saying he plans to open his own stores.</p>.<p>"GAP left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of GAP's substantial noncompliance," wrote the artist's lawyer, Nicholas Gravante, in a letter, elements of which were seen by <em>AFP</em>.</p>.<p>The rapper, producer, fashion designer and mercurial personality inked a much-touted deal with Gap in 2020, with plans to marry the struggling retailer's clothing classics with West's Yeezy designs.</p>.<p>In a letter to employees on Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, Gap brand CEO Mark Breitbard said that management had decided to "wind down the partnership" with West.</p>.<p>"While we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people... how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned," he said.</p>.<p>Breitbard clarified that several Yeezy Gap branded products already in development before the breakup would continue to be released, "as planned."</p>.<p>Wall Street took the news badly, with Gap shares dropping nearly three percent by around 1700 GMT.</p>.<p>The announcement caps months of social media complaints from West, which include accusations that he's been left out of the creative process and criticisms of marketing delays.</p>.<p>Gravante said West has "diligently" tried to work through issues with the company but "he has gotten nowhere."</p>.<p>"GAP's substantial noncompliance with its contractual obligations has been costly," he continued. "Ye will now promptly move forward to make up for lost time by opening Yeezy retail stores."</p>.<p>Gap had been expecting $1 billion from Yeezy products alone within five years of the ten-year signed partnership, according to The New York Times.</p>.<p>West saw the collaboration as a way to increase the accessibility of his products, having previously put out limited series at high price points with financing from the German brand Adidas -- which the rapper has also criticized in recent months.</p>.<p>His collection, launched in 2022, echoed West's own style -- dark, baggy clothes and variations on the hooded sweatshirt that was once Gap's signature garment.</p>.<p>Gap Inc also owns the Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta brands.</p>.<p>Fading in popularity for years, the company has closed some 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores since October 2020.</p>
<p>Kanye West and retail brand Gap announced an end to their partnership on Thursday, with the artist now known as Ye saying he plans to open his own stores.</p>.<p>"GAP left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of GAP's substantial noncompliance," wrote the artist's lawyer, Nicholas Gravante, in a letter, elements of which were seen by <em>AFP</em>.</p>.<p>The rapper, producer, fashion designer and mercurial personality inked a much-touted deal with Gap in 2020, with plans to marry the struggling retailer's clothing classics with West's Yeezy designs.</p>.<p>In a letter to employees on Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, Gap brand CEO Mark Breitbard said that management had decided to "wind down the partnership" with West.</p>.<p>"While we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people... how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned," he said.</p>.<p>Breitbard clarified that several Yeezy Gap branded products already in development before the breakup would continue to be released, "as planned."</p>.<p>Wall Street took the news badly, with Gap shares dropping nearly three percent by around 1700 GMT.</p>.<p>The announcement caps months of social media complaints from West, which include accusations that he's been left out of the creative process and criticisms of marketing delays.</p>.<p>Gravante said West has "diligently" tried to work through issues with the company but "he has gotten nowhere."</p>.<p>"GAP's substantial noncompliance with its contractual obligations has been costly," he continued. "Ye will now promptly move forward to make up for lost time by opening Yeezy retail stores."</p>.<p>Gap had been expecting $1 billion from Yeezy products alone within five years of the ten-year signed partnership, according to The New York Times.</p>.<p>West saw the collaboration as a way to increase the accessibility of his products, having previously put out limited series at high price points with financing from the German brand Adidas -- which the rapper has also criticized in recent months.</p>.<p>His collection, launched in 2022, echoed West's own style -- dark, baggy clothes and variations on the hooded sweatshirt that was once Gap's signature garment.</p>.<p>Gap Inc also owns the Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta brands.</p>.<p>Fading in popularity for years, the company has closed some 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores since October 2020.</p>