Kanye West ‘hires Johnny Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez to handle his business interests

American rapper and fashion designer Kanye West has hired Camille Vasquez, the lawyer who defended Johnny Depp, to handle his business interests.

This is after Balenciaga dropped West as a business partner while Adidas threatens to cut ties with the rapper following his anti-Semitic rants on social media.

“Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” Kering, Balenciaga’s parent company, said in a statement to WWD.

The 45-year-old artist then lashed out on social media against former colleagues and friends and a leading fashion journalist who criticised the move, including Kering boss Bernard Arnault.

West had already broken off his partnership with Gap last month, with both sides saying they were no longer pulling in the same direction.

Adidas announced earlier this month that it was putting its own tie-up with Kanye “under review”.

Balenciaga and Kering did not respond to requests for comment from AFP.