In a rare public display of affection, North West celebrated Father's Day on June 21 by sharing throwback photos of herself with her father, rapper and fashion mogul Kanye West. The 13-year-old, who is the eldest child of Kanye and ex-wife Kim Kardashian, posted two images on her Instagram Stories that quickly went viral.
The first photo shows North standing beside Kanye, both wearing dark-colored gimp masks that cover their entire faces. North's mask is paired with a bulletproof vest emblazoned with the word 'Donda' across the front, a clear nod to her father's 2021 album and its accompanying fashion aesthetic. Kanye wears a similar vest, and the duo pose together in what appears to be a studio or backstage setting. The image is a striking throwback to the Donda era, when Kanye and his models frequently wore full-coverage masks and tactical vests during listening parties and public appearances.
North captioned the first photo simply 'Happy Father's Day,' then posted a second throwback image showing her helping Kanye plan one of his runway shows. That candid snapshot captures a young North sitting on the floor surrounded by sketches and fabrics, while Kanye gestures in the background. Both posts were accompanied by two of Kanye's songs: 'Wolves' from his 2016 album The Life of Pablo, and 'Say You Will' from his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak.
The choice of music is significant. 'Wolves' is a haunting track that features Sia and Vic Mensa, and its lyrics touch on themes of protection and loyalty. 'Say You Will' is a stripped-down ballad that originally appeared as a bonus track on 808s and has since become a fan favorite for its emotional vulnerability. By pairing these songs with the photos, North may be signaling the deep bond she shares with her father, despite their relatively private relationship in recent years.
While North rarely shares images of her time with Kanye—following his highly publicized divorce from Kim Kardashian in 2021—the pair have occasionally appeared together in public. Most notably, in January 2024, Kanye brought North out as a VIP guest during his Mexico City concert. The duo performed an unreleased duet that was captured on social media, with Kanye singing, 'You know, I never left you. 'Cause every road that leads to heaven is right beside you / so I can say, 'Hello, my only one.' Fans were delighted to see the father-daughter duo share a musical moment, a stark contrast to the often tumultuous headlines surrounding Kanye's personal life.
The matching gimp masks and vests are a direct reference to the Donda era, which began in 2021 with the release of Kanye's tenth studio album. The album rollout was marked by a series of extravagant listening parties at stadiums around the world, where Kanye and his performers wore identical black or white masks that covered their entire heads. The look became a hallmark of the album's visual identity, representing anonymity, uniformity, and a sense of collective transcendence. For North to participate in this aesthetic at such a young age underscores her involvement in her father's creative world.
Kanye West has long been known for his avant-garde fashion choices, from leather joggers and mirrored sunglasses to full-face masks and custom Yeezy designs. The gimp mask has been a recurring element in his work, appearing in music videos, on tour, and in his Yeezy Season collections. It is a controversial piece, often interpreted as a statement on identity, celebrity, and the dehumanizing aspects of fame. For North to wear one as a child—and later as a teenager—raises questions about how Kanye's artistic vision intersects with his parenting style.
On the same day, Kim Kardashian also marked Father's Day, but she focused on her own late father, Robert Kardashian. The 45-year-old businesswoman shared several Instagram Stories featuring handmade cards she had created as a child for her father, who died in 2003 at age 59. One card read, 'Happy Father's Day! Love, Kimberly,' while another included a longer message: '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.' Kim worked for Robert at his cinema music business before becoming a global star.
Kim's tribute highlighted a different kind of father-daughter relationship, one rooted in fond memories of a man who was a steady presence in her early life. Robert Kardashian gained fame as one of O.J. Simpson's defense attorneys during the 1995 murder trial, but to his daughter, he was simply a loving father who saved every card she wrote him. Kim's posts drew emotional responses from fans, many of whom noted the contrast between her nostalgic tribute and North's more avant-garde salute to Kanye.
North West's emerging presence on social media has been a topic of fascination for fans of the Kardashian-Jenner family. As the eldest of Kanye and Kim's four children (North, Saint, 10; Chicago, 8; and Psalm, 7), she has grown up in the public eye but has largely been shielded by her parents from the more intense aspects of fame. However, as she approaches her teenage years, North has started to carve out her own identity, often appearing in fashion shoots, dancing videos, and now, curated Instagram Stories that give a glimpse into her relationship with her father.
The Father's Day posts come shortly after Kim celebrated North's 13th birthday in June. In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Kim wrote, 'Happy Birthday my Northiiiiiieeeeeeeee (Uzi voice!!!) 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.' The tribute included a series of photos showing North at different ages, from babyhood to her current stylish self.
Kanye West, now 49, has been navigating a period of intense public scrutiny following his divorce from Kim and a series of controversial statements and actions. He released his album Vultures 1 in 2024 with Ty Dolla $ign, and continues to tour and collaborate with artists. Despite his ups and downs, his relationship with his children remains a priority, as evidenced by North's recent posts. The matching masks may be a playful nod to the Donda era, but they also symbolize a shared creative language between father and daughter.
Fashion critics and pop culture commentators have weighed in on the photos, with some praising the rare glimpse into the father-daughter bond and others questioning the appropriateness of a young teen wearing a gimp mask. However, many fans have defended North's choice, noting that she is old enough to make her own stylistic decisions and that the mask is a clear homage to her father's work. The bulletproof vest, too, is not meant to be literal security gear but rather a fashion statement that originated in Kanye's Yeezy and Donda collections.
Looking forward, it remains to be seen whether North will continue to share more intimate moments with her father on social media. She has her own Instagram account, which she uses to post a mix of personal photos and artistic content. Her public appearances with Kanye are rare, but when they occur, they consistently generate headlines, such as when they attended a joint Yeezy and Gap event in 2022 or when she performed with him in Mexico earlier this year.
The Kim-Kanye divorce settlement included joint custody of the four children, with both parents committed to co-parenting despite their differences. Kim has often spoken about the importance of keeping their children's lives as normal as possible, while Kanye has expressed his desire to be actively involved in their upbringing. North's Father's Day posts suggest that, at least for now, the relationship between father and daughter is strong, even if expressed through the lens of high fashion and avant-garde artistry.
In addition to the immediate family, other members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan also participated in Father's Day tributes. Kris Jenner shared a photo of herself with her late husband, Robert Kardashian, and her ex-husband, Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner). Kylie Jenner posted a sweet video of her daughter Stormi with her father, Travis Scott. But it was North's posts that garnered the most attention, largely because of the rarity of such public displays involving Kanye.
As social media continues to evolve, celebrities like North West increasingly use platforms like Instagram to shape their own narratives. For a teenager who has grown up in a family that mastered the art of personal branding, North's choices are likely to become more deliberate as she matures. Her Father's Day tribute to Kanye was a carefully curated blend of nostalgia, fashion, and music—a testament to the unique upbringing she has experienced.
Ultimately, the photos serve as a reminder that even amid the chaos of fame, family bonds persist. Kanye and Kim may have gone their separate ways, but their shared legacy lives on in their children. And on this Father's Day, North chose to honor her father with a look that is undeniably Kanye: bold, controversial, and deeply personal.
Source: Us Weekly News