Fashion Week

Malik Yusef says he was doing work on Kanye West's behalf to arrange a New York Fashion Week show but it didn't work out ... but it's definitely not the shady scheme it's being made out to be.

We broke the story ... Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music associate is accused of forging the rapper's signature to strike a deal with Philipp Plein to stage a NYFW event with Ye performing, and then making off with at least $750,000.

Yusef strongly denies those allegations and tells us it was business as usual as he negotiated with Plein to get some "futuristic t-shirts" at Fashion Week. He claims Kanye was aware of the pending contract, but when it became clear Ye wasn't going to perform ... he let Plein know the deal was off.

Malik claims he didn't touch a dime of Plein's money and even sent it back to him. He's adamant he's not scamming anyone and points out he's been working with Kanye for years ... and they run a foundation together.

Yusef insists he's never taken anything from Kanye, adding ... "I barely take his f***in' advice."

On Twitter, he's also responded to a suggestion he might be getting set up, saying ... "Its actually less against me and more against @phillip_plein but I ain’t going either tho."

Sources close to Kanye tell us a different story, though ... saying Kanye never committed to anything and had no idea about the show Yusef was communicating to Plein about.

What's the best way to highlight the features of models like Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid ... well, for one fashion designer, the answer is covering their amazing bodies and making them look like loofahs.

Yes, somewhere under all that fabric lurks the smokin' hot bods of Emily, Bella and other gorgeous models walking the runway Friday at the Tomo Koizumi show.

You never know what you're gonna see at New York Fashion Week ... and we gotta admit, we weren't expecting to see the world's hottest supermodels covered up and looking like they're ready to take the runway to the shower.

Oh, and notice the short hair ... no word on if Edward Scissorhands was consulting.

Kourtney Kardashian's dialing her fashion all the way back to the Renaissance period ... a shout out to Leonardo da Vinci that may or may not have him rolling in his grave.

The reality star stepped out Friday in NYC wearing this catsuit with the famous image of Mona Lisa plastered from neck to toe. She also flaunted some old-school Doc Martens. So, maybe she's going for a grunge look ... elevated even further by a trench coat.

Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons took advantage of the NBA star's off day ... to spend some time all over each other on a romantic dinner date.

Bendall hit up Cipriani in New York City Thursday night. She was fully embracing him and kissing her boo's face as they snuggled up in a corner table.

As you know ... Kendall's been spending a lot of time with Ben lately, and even sat courtside with his mom at one of his Sixers games last month. They've been dating on and off since last May, or as Kendall put it to Ellen ... they've been official "for a bit now."

Kanye West was a forgery victim and the cost is huge ... nearly $1 MILLION ... sources tell TMZ.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ, a guy Ye knew secretly contacted Philipp Plein, who is staging a big New York Fashion Week event this coming Monday. The guy misrepresented himself to Plein as Kanye's rep and began negotiations for Kanye to perform ... at a STEEP price.

Plein apparently fell for it hook, line and sinker, and they made a deal wherein Kanye would supposedly pocket 7 figures and, in return, he would perform at the NYFW show.

It gets worse. We're told the guy forged Kanye's name on the contract and then had a $900,000 advance wired to an account ... which the guy promptly cleaned out.

Kanye's not performing at the show, and Plein is now out a pretty penny.

As for the guy who committed the alleged fraud ... we're told he's a former friend and associate of G.O.O.D. Music.

We have not been able to reach Plein for comment, but it's a good bet he'll take some sort of legal action.

Cam Newton and Odell Beckham teamed up Wednesday night ... for fashion!!

The superstar quarterback and the All-Pro receiver hit Harlem's Fashion Row Special Event during New York Fashion Week on Wednesday ... and yeah, they looked as swaggy as ever.

Cam donned a tan trench coat, a black hat, sunglasses and a bandana ... while Odell killed it in what appears to be a fit inspired by Dwayne Johnson's infamous fanny pack pic (sans fanny pack).

We know what you're thinking ... but this ain't a preview of a possible NFL trade -- both guys are locked into long-term deals with the Panthers and Giants.

So, enjoy the two greats in the same room together while you can!!

Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are at each other's throats again ... with Cardi threatening to beat the hell out of Nicki and pursue legal action.

Cardi was heated Monday as she ripped into Nicki during an expletive-filled tirade on social media, challenging her rival to a fight after Nicki went on her Queen Radio show and spilled more details about their infamous NYFW fight.

CB called Nicki a snitch for claiming Rah Ali beat up Cardi during last month's brawl ... adding she's tired of the back and forth, so they should settle it with their fists.

We broke the story ... Cardi attacked Nicki last month at a party during NYFW, throwing a shoe at her rival and missing before walking away with a huge knot above her eye, which Nicki now claims came from Rah.

Nicki is offering $100k to anyone who's willing to leak footage of the altercation, and said she's willing to take CB to court ... but Cardi is firing back and saying she should sue Nicki for defamation.

Slick Woods pulled the biggest shocker of NY Fashion Week -- besides Cardi B and Nicki Minaj -- when she went into labor at Rihanna's show, and 2 weeks later ... she's ready to hit the catwalk again!

The model is flaunting her post-baby bod, and you can totally see why. The baby bump's in her rearview, and her abs are fully toned.

Checking out Slick now, it's crazy to think back on how she looked walking the runway at the Savage X Fenty show 2 weeks ago ... when she went into labor backstage!

The 22-year-old has seen her star rise since her surprise delivery, and we think Slick could rock the runway right now.

Cardi B isn't ruffling feathers at Paris fashion shows ... she's just flaunting 'em now.

The rapper performed Tuesday during the Etam Spring/Summer show as part of Paris Fashion Week. She matched her purple dyed hair with a purple suit and strutted some very large purple feathers on the runway.

All this while model hotties pranced around her in tiny outfits.

Yup, Cardi's still in hot demand with fashionistas. TMZ broke the story ... the rapper's NYFW rumble with Nicki Minaj raised her profile in the fashion world, and this Paris reception is proof.

Cardi B's gonna throw shoes on the reg if her still-fresh Nicki Minaj beef keeps paying off for her at Fashion Week ... okurrr?

Sources close to Cardi tell TMZ the "I Like It" rapper has been on schedule and unfazed for Fashion Week in Milan these past few days ... and, in fact, it seems squaring off with Nicki has only raised her profile. We're told none of her appearances have been canceled, and no designers have pulled invitations that were sent pre-fight.

Cardi attended the Dolce & Gabbana show Sunday as planned, an event she'd been booked for well before her altercation earlier this month with Nicki.

While some might have expected prim and proper fashionistas to keep Cardi at arm's length after her NYFW rumble -- designers seem to be embracing her instead. She was all smiles while sitting front row at the Dolce & Gabbana show.

Hell, even Cardi's sister, Hennessy, walked the runway for the Philipp Plein show in Milan -- a clear sign they were happy to have the MC show up and probably wanted her to, although she did not.

We're told Cardi wasn't concerned about Nicki's schedule in Milan, or the possibility of running into her at any events. Nicki arrived in Milan 3 days before CB, but they were both there over the weekend. No fireworks.

Cardi's now off to Paris for Fashion Week there, and sources say she's going to 3 major shows.

Cardi B has just flown thousands of miles and landed in Milan where a possible re-match with her mortal enemy, Nicki Minaj, could happen ... TMZ has learned.

Cardi showed up in Milan for Fashion Week. Nicki arrived 3 days ago.

Cardi and her team have not announced her arrival, although she certainly dropped hints by posting a pic of a gift basket that has Italy written all over it.

It's certainly interesting ... everyone knows what happened earlier this month at the Harper's Bazaar party during New York Fashion Week, where Cardi tried to attack Nicki and threw a shoe at her. Cardi's the one who ended up injured with a giant lump on her head as she hobbled out of the party on one shoe.

It's unclear if Nicki knew Cardi would show.

We're told so far Cardi and Nicki have not interacted, but we're on the lookout.

Cardi B's gonna have to share the spotlight ... but she probably won't mind, 'cause it's with her sister.

Hennessy Carolina just hit the runway at a SUPER big fashion show -- the Philipp Plein Show at Milan Fashion Week. If you're out of the fashion loop ... Philipp Plein's a famous German designer who also has a stake in popular clothing brand Billionaire Couture.

Hennessy -- who has appeared on "Love & Hip Hop" with Cardi -- has done some shows here and there, but this is the first time she's gotten a chance to walk the runway in a massively important show.

Also at the show were Tekashi69 and Chris Brown. They were there to perform. But, no doubt the show belonged to Hennessy. Congrats!!

Here's Anwar Hadid just trying to keep his love life on the down-low during Milan Fashion Week and ... JUST KIDDING, LOOK AT THAT HUGE HICKEY ON HIS NECK!!!!

The young model is apparently having a great time in Italy, but the love scar has us wondering who left it there? Anwar has a long hookup history with fellow models ... and guess which famous former flame was also in Milan? Kendall Jenner!

Remember, back in the summer, Anwar and Kendall were sucking face at an after-party.

He's definitely not trying to hide the evidence of a steamy night with someone -- so, maybe it was Kendall's handiwork ... or maybe he's just letting her know she missed out.

One thing's for sure ... Anwar's gonna need a cold spoon, 'cause that hickey's not going anywhere soon.

Olivia Culpo might as well have shut down Paris Fashion Week ... it ain't gonna get better than this little black dress.

The former Miss Universe slipped into the little black dress of all little black dresses Thursday in Paris during fashion week. Guessing she most likely brought traffic to a standstill when she crossed the street.

The dress itself is stunning ... over the shoulder ruffles, tight and short. Add the perfect clutch, heels and bracelets and you've got the most beautiful woman in the world. Literally.

Just when you thought Olivia draped in latex from head to toe couldn't get better.

J. Alexander says the pregnant model who went into labor during Rihanna's fashion show has changed the runway game for good -- which will help models of all sizes.

We got America's favorite runway coach and judge from 'ANTM' at LAX, where we asked if Slick Woods revolutionized the fashion industry by walking the Savage x Fenty runway at 9 months pregnant, going into labor backstage and delivering her baby all in a 14-hour time span.

J. says she absolutely has, and RiRi's responsible for putting her in a position of trailblazing.

He explains because Rihanna doesn't play by the rules and hires models with varying body types -- and at varying stages of life (in and out of the womb) -- designers will follow suit, and models will get more gigs. It's a win-win for everyone, really.

There's also this -- J. tells us he wants to see a delivery right there on the runway floor next time ... just to up the ante.

Rihanna is a shooting star in the fashion world, and her NYFW shindig proved she is the straw that stirs the drink.

RiRi threw her 4th annual Diamond Ball bash Thursday night at Cipriani Wall Street and TONS of celebs came out in droves. It's a special event for her -- it's benefiting her Clara Lionel Foundation, which helps impoverished communities around the world.

Her famous friends showed her plenty of love -- Meek Mill, Gucci Mane, Gayle King, Trevor Noah, Paris Hilton, La La Anthony, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, Odell Beckham Jr., James Harden, A$AP Rocky and on and on ...

Childish Gambino performed ... slipping outta his shirt for "This is America."