As an entrepreneur you define pretty early on why you’d prefer to work for yourself rather than for someone else.  For some its because they don’t like taking orders, for others its because they feel they can do it better than anyone else.  Whatever the reason, one of the hardest qualities one can learn from being an entrepreneur is to be humble.

Lets face it, the most deserving party of a slice of this humble pie is the infamously pompous Kanye West and if you believe a recent New York Times article, he may be getting it.  It appears that in effort to further educate himself about the fashion industry and intricate design process, West has insinuated that he may take a break from music to INTERN at a fashion house…preferably, Louis Vuitton or Raf Simons.

“I was blown away from the planet when he told me,” said Simons, by phone from Antwerp, Belgium. “I know he’s very serious about this - I don’t take it as a joke - but how can I imagine him being my intern? It’s a very extreme situation.”

Although West may often come across as the world’s expert on everything one thing is for certain he has always been very dedicated to his art whether it be production or fashion (and perhaps the later more than the former).  He’s been a student of the industry, a regular attendee at runways shows.

“I want to and will be the real thing,” he wrote last week on his blog in explanation of the delay. “I will not just be a ‘celebrity designer.’ ”

Kanye West Resume

Untitled Jewelry collection                     Launch: Coming Soon
Part of a colaborative effort with Warhol-esque Japanese artist Takashi Murakami

Men’s shoe line for Louis Vuitton             Launch: Coming Soon

Past Tell (formerly known as Pastelle)         Launch: 2009
Described the line as “a mix of Marc Jacobs, Polo and American Apparel”

Clearly there is little doubt that Kanye is serious about Fashion and his aspirations to become a fashion “mogul.” But is he not OVER-qualified?  Given his resume above what really could an “internship” offer him.  Clearly it wouldn’t be one in the traditional sense like you or I would experience but more of an observation of the process from concept to hanger.   I think its a great idea.  Kanye has an understanding of what high fashion is supposed to look like but such an experience would show him WHY (in addition to perhaps teaching him some humility.)  This is exactly what has been missing in the Hip Hop’s fashion, (the humility too.)

There have been very few that have grasped this concept; Russell Simmons and Diddy come to mind.  Now while they didn’t intern they took the time to study those successful at the business.  Asked questions and LEARNED.  With every Hip Hop Dick and Tom throwing a fashion label out there the details differentiate you from the rest.  For once I gotta send Kanye a salute.