Image via Complex Original
Update, June 30, 2016: After Complex published the timeline below, Theophilus London contacted us to refute the events as we described them. You can read his response here. Original post follows.
Ian Connor’s meltdown on Twitter last week following his brawl in Paris with Theophilus London and ASAP Bari was not without irony; the stylist, muse, and creative consultant was being disowned by the very men who made him. Whether or not Connor’s career is finished, as some have predicted, it definitively marks the end of his lightning-fast rise from Tumblr to Kanye West’s associate. With, Connor, London, and Bari exchanging shots on Twitter—accusing one another of everything from jealousy, to drug use, to child molestation—Connor’s foundation is more than a little shaky. We may be witnessing the fall of a King. Read on for look at the history of Ian Connor.
Starts “Modeling”
Beginning with small, lesser known brands like Praise, Connor’s modeling career eventually landed him in lookbooks and ad campaigns. He would model for Mishka, Pyrex, a Stussy x Bape collab, and Midnight Studios’ debut collection, and even have his face featured all over a Wil Fry jersey.
Featured in Complex’s Top 25 Under 25 in Style
Connor started to create a legitimate name for himself in 2012, recognized for his personal style and his unique look. His social following began to soar. He was working alongside Glyn Brown of l3nf, when, at 19 years old, he proclaimed himself “King of the Youth.”
Becomes Wiz Khalifa’s Stylist and Assistant
Connor can be credited for making some major changes in Wiz Khalifa’s wardrobe, taking him from stoner rapper to #coolpants.
Appears in Yeezy Season 1 Presentation
Ian modeled in Kanye’s first Fashion Week presentation, putting him in front of arguably one of the most iconic front rows at any presentation, ever.
Wears Skechers to Dinner With Kanye
Following the presentation of Kanye’s first collection with adidas, Connor wears Skechers to a fancy dinner with West and his squad in Paris. The unexpected co-sign from Connor came the same year the brand saw record breaking sales numbers.
Starts Working With Kanye and Virgil Abloh
In an interview with SSENSE, Connor says, “I started doing work with Kanye and shit, that’s when Ye started to really fuck with me, see what’s inside my head.” Connor began to pop up more frequently in behind-the-scenes Instagram pics, rather than remaining solely in front of the cameras.
Styles Kylie Jenner (Reportedly)
Although it’s unclear exactly how long this lasted or if he received a Kardashian paycheck, Connor shared that he “got the job” styling Kanye’s sister-in-law, Kylie Jenner. Instagram photos showing Kylie dressed in Supreme and Gosha Rubchinskiy were widely circulated.
Cheats Death and Brags About It
While driving outside of London, Connor gets into a car accident. He immediately takes to social media to brag about cheating death, tweeting, “I Can Not Fucking Die I'm Ian Connor.”
Models in Yeezy Season 2, Smokes a Cigarette Throughout
Connor told Oyster Magazine that because he knew how anxious he was during Yeezy Season 1 he knew he needed a cigarette during the Yeezy Season 2 presentation. Apparently, Kanye went “crazy” “in a good way” about it.
Smokes Through Another Yeezy Presentation
Exponentially bigger than his previous fashion shows, Yeezy Season 3 was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City and doubled as a listening party for Kanye’s album The Life of Pablo. Connor modeled again, and was reportedly present for the recording of TLOP.
Announces He Will Take Over Pastelle
Connor claimed he was given the opportunity to bring back Pastelle, Kanye’s clothing line that was left for dead in 2008. Despite Connor’s many posts on Instagram and rampant speculative theories on social media, the status of Pastelle 2.0 is currently unknown.
Starts Managing Playboi Carti (Sort Of)
Connor tries his hand at another aspect of the game, taking on managing Playboi Carti as a 22-year old friend would, in more of a brotherly way than a proper artist manager.
Rape Accusations Go Public
23-year old Malika Anderson publicly accuses Ian of raping her in a post on her personal blog , writing that she filed a police report against him. Anderson says that without sufficient evidence, Ian will not be charged. Her story went viral.
Theophilus London Says Ian Is Innocent
On April 9, the day after Malika Anderson’s allegations hit the internet, Theophilus London tweets a photo of Kanye and Connor, proclaiming Connor’s innocence.
Ian’s Alleged Victims Speak Out on Camera
UK publication The Daily Mail interviewed six women who accused Connor of rape. The interviews started as a video series rolled out over the course of three days, but ended abruptly. Three videos remain online.
Theophilus Disowns Ian on Twitter Following Fight in Colette
Following a series of on- and offline fights, ASAP Mob and Theophilus London appear to cut ties with Connor, and in the process, become the first members of Connor’s inner circle to publicly acknowledge the rape accusations against him.