Yeezy and Balenciaga joined forces to create a long-sleeve t-shirt to memorialize rapper Earl “DMX” Simmons, who passed away on April 9, 2021 at ag 50.
Launched on Saturday (April 24, 2021) and priced at $200, the shirt sold out shortly after launching. According to TMZ, sales of the shirt totaled over $1 million. Balenciaga has committed to donated all profits to DMX’s family members.
The request to make the shirt was said to made by Kanye West, who reached out to Balenciaga lead creative Demna Gvasalia to make the shirt.
Launched on dmx-tribute, the black, long-sleeve t-shirt features a portrait of the rapper. Priced at $200, the t-shirt’s left sleeved was printed with the date of his death, while the right sleeve listed his birth date.
Interestingly, the shirt doesn’t feature either Yeezy or Balaenciaga branding. As to why West reach out to Balenciaga, it’s possible his Gap contract limits his ability to design and sell apparel using the Yeezy brand.
DMX’s life was celebrated with a ceremony at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on on April 24, 2021, the same day the shirt was released.
