Martin's College of Arts and Design, is seen by many fashion-world observers as the latest sign of Britain's continuing move to the center of the clothing-design world.

WSJ: London Fashion Week: Christopher Kane's Brainy Show

West had already dipped his toe into the world of fashion design, so this was not such a big stretch for him.

WSJ: M/M (Paris) | The Cult of

At any given time, perhaps 15, 000 freshly-minted fashion-design graduates around the world--plus many more uncredentialed dreamers working out of garages, Granny's attic or family rec rooms--have what they think are great ideas and no funding to bring them to market.

FORBES: Fashion's Hard Case

There is nothing in his fashion sense rumpled tweed jacket and jeans to suggest his significance on the world stage of design, either.

WSJ: Tom Dixon Makes Things Better