North West publicly marked Father’s Day by sharing rare photos with dad, Kanye West, wearing a dark-colored gimp mask similar to her father’s. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, June 21, North, 13, posted a throwback image of herself standing beside Kanye, 49, while pairing a mask with a bullet-proof vest bearing the word “Donda.”
Kanye wore a vest matching North’s, as he and North’s mother Kim Kardashian share four children. “Happy Father’s Day,” North captioned the first post, then shared a second throwback from an earlier moment when she helped Kanye plan one of his runway shows.
Both posts were accompanied by two Kanye hits: 2016’s “Wolves” from The Life of Pablo and 2008’s “Say You Will” from 808s & Heartbreak.
Kim Kardashian, 45, also marked Father’s Day via her Instagram, focusing on her late father, Robert Kardashian. Her first post showed a handmade card created by Kim as a child that read, “Happy Father’s Day! Love, Kimberly,” and a second Story displayed a card with the caption, “He saved every card I wrote him.” The message on the second card read, “Dad, I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you do for me. I love working for you. I love you and happy Father’s Day! Kimberley.”
Kanye West and North West have kept a relatively private record of time spent together, though they surprised fans in January by performing in Mexico. At Kanye’s Mexico City show on January 30, North appeared as a VIP guest, and the pair performed an unreleased duet that circulated on social media.
You know, I never left you, West sang at the time, wearing an all-white jumpsuit. “‘Cause every road that leads to heaven is right beside you / so I can say, ‘Hello, my only one.”
North is the eldest child of Kanye and Kim, who divorced in 2021 after seven years of marriage. The couple also share Saint, 10, Psalm, 7, and Chicago, 8.
Last week, Kim celebrated North’s graduation into teenhood with a loving Instagram tribute. “Happy Birthday my Northiiiiiieeeeeeeee (Uzi voice!!!),” Kim wrote alongside photos of North through the years. “I can’t believe you are officially a teenager!!!!! There’s no one like you my baby girl! I love being your mom and watching you grow. I love you to the aliens galaxies you would speak of as a kid and beyond.”
North West’s style has drawn wide attention. She recently wore an all-black ensemble with baggy wide-leg shorts, an oversized Balenciaga T-shirt, Balenciaga La Cagole shoes, brand crew socks, and a Crocs collaboration. Some commentators criticized the look as not age-appropriate, while others praised her bold fashion sense.
Balenciaga controversy and brand partnerships have intersected with Kim’s public image. The brand faced global criticism in 2022 for campaigns perceived as referencing child exploitation; Balenciaga subsequently removed the campaigns and issued apologies, while also pursuing legal action. Kim publicly expressed her disapproval of the campaigns, yet she remained connected as a Balenciaga ambassador into 2024.
In a broader cultural moment, coverage has connected North’s goth-inspired fashion with broader fashion narratives around the family’s public life and brand associations. Kim has publicly discussed North’s love of darker aesthetics, noting North’s interest in Black Sabbath and temporary face tattoos, which Kim described as part of North’s growing persona.
Recent reporting also highlighted the family’s appearance at fashion and media events, including Kim’s posts that showcased interiors of her Hidden Hills home and other lifestyle content. The dynamic between North’s emerging individuality and Kim and Kanye’s ongoing public narrative continues to fuel discussions about youth, celebrity branding, and fashion influence.
Other related reporting touches on safety concerns in communities around “gimp” sightings, separate from the Kardashian narrative. A BBC report recounted incidents in Claverham, North Somerset, and nearby areas where sightings of a man in a gimp suit prompted police attention and public concern, culminating in a court case involving a different individual charged with harassment and related offences. These events are described in detail with timelines of calls and investigations spanning 2018-2023.
- North West’s public appearances with masks align with ongoing conversations about celebrity fashion and youth influence.
- Kim Kardashian’s Balenciaga associations have sparked debate about brand ethics and celebrity advocacy.
- The family’s public narrative intertwines personal milestones, style evolution, and media scrutiny.
North West’s graduation into teenhood was celebrated by Kim with a heartfelt tribute, reflecting the continuing evolution of the family’s public image and fashion footprint.
