Fashion

Kanye West and his team are scoffing at claims his latest Yeezy shoe release didn't sell out because of his politics ... because sales were actually super strong.

West dropped his Yeezy Mauve 700 shoe Saturday, and the product didn't sell out instantly like past releases. Some people jumped online and suggested sales were weak, and they blamed it on his politics.

Sources close to Kanye say the shade is ridiculous, because product volume was up nearly 10-fold compared to releases in the past. Short story -- more shoes moved this time than in previous releases.

As for the Yeezy brand, it's still at the top, and our sources say it was recently valued at several billion dollars, with that number expected to grow by year's end.

Ye announced Tuesday he's out of politics, after saying he was used by Candace Owens. A lot of people thought Kim pushed him to exit politics, but we're told it was really his decision to pull the plug.

Kanye's set for another shoe release Nov. 9 ... we're told that will be a big drop too, and another step in the direction of Kanye's goal -- Yeezys for everybody.

Meghan Markle's just like the rest of us -- aside from her crown, her title and her Prince -- sometimes she just forgets to remove the tag from her clothes. Royal oops?!!

Meghan and Prince Harry had the red carpet rolled out for them Thursday after landing on the main island of Tongatapu in Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were flanked by Tonga's princess Angelika Latufuipeka ... but no doubt everyone's eyes darted to the bottom of Meghan's dress.

The obvious conspiracy theory is ... Meg, or her wardrobe team, is planning to return the dress. The less conspiratorial take? Someone's ass is getting fired!

We're guessing it's door #2, and giving Meghan a pass for the wardrobe malfunction. For starters, she's about 4 months pregnant, reportedly, so she's got more important things in mind. Second of all, she's built up more than enough points by looking nearly flawless every OTHER time.

Halsey's most recent split with G-Eazy is no skin off her back -- but it is clearly a shirt off her back.

The pop singer was out Wednesday in L.A. rocking nothin' but a beret, a bra, jeans and combat boots. Halsey did seem to be wearing one other item -- her IDGAF face -- as she made a coffee run with a friend.

As we reported ... Halsey and G-Eazy are once again off after they recently broke up for the second time this year. They don't even follow each other on Instagram anymore. Shockface!

Kendall Jenner is once again in the crosshairs of controversy after Vogue featured her in a new photo shoot where she's rockin' an afro ... and the fashion mag blinked.

The supermodel appears in a new Vogue story that's running in November where she's wearing a variety of Brock Collection dresses ... and sporting a 'fro-style 'do. Her hair was frizzy and teased-out (nothing like her usual style) ... and some people got pissed, claiming cultural appropriation and questioning why Vogue didn't use a black model.

People flooded the comment section of Vogue's Instagram post showing off Kendall's puffed-out hairstyle, and openly speculated about the connotations and intentions behind booking a white girl for the gig ... with some calling the move racist and demeaning to black women.

Vogue now says Kendall's hair was simply reflecting the "Edwardian/Gibson Girl" style they were going for with the Brock Collection. FWIW ... a quick google search shows that women of that era did, in fact, have similar hairstyles.

Either way, Vogue eventually apologized, explaining it did not mean to offend anyone.

Winnie Harlow and Wiz Khalifa have been projecting their relationship on us for months now with signs and gestures -- but none are more clear than this one ... they're dating.

The Canadian supermodel was spotted holding hands with the Pittsburgh MC Saturday night as they were leaving the Staples Center in L.A., following the Lakers' loss against the Rockets ... and a nasty brawl that'd broken out between the two teams.

BTW ... Wiz's ex-wife, Amber Rose, gave her blessing to the new pair last month, saying she thought Winnie was a "f****** sweetheart," but noting she wasn't sure if Winnie had met Amber and Wiz's kid, Sebastian, yet.

Also worth noting ... their fashion-statement-making outfits. Winnie wore a full-body Fendi outfit, while Wiz was out there rockin' purple and yellow (not 'Black and Yellow').

Balenciaga's dive into the key rings business reeks of a total rip-off ... so claims the company behind Little Trees air fresheners, which is suing the luxury brand for straight-up jacking its product.

Car-Freshner Corporation -- which owns the rights to Little Trees Air Fresheners -- claims Balenciaga is selling leather key rings that look almost identical to its signature product.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Little Trees claims it snagged the trademark back in 1952 and its Little Trees are so famous and popular big companies have licensed them ... including Buffalo Wild Wings, Discover Financial Services, Kia Motors and Capital One.

But, Little Trees says Balenciaga never asked for permission and started selling copycats last month at its NYC store and at Neiman Marcus. Little Trees says Balenciaga was so brazen it went as far as copying the specific colors associated with the most popular scents.

Little Trees believes unsuspecting customers will confuse the 2 brands ... and that crosses the legal line. Little Trees wants Balenciaga to fork over the profits from its tree products. BTW ... a 1-pack of Little Trees will set you back around $3 ... whereas Balenciaga's key ring goes for around $275. Hard to imagine anyone mixing up the two.

Rihanna has used F.U. as a business card for her clothing biz, and now another company is firing back ... FU, Rihanna.

Freedom United Clothing claims in a new lawsuit it owns the 'FU' trademark ... something they've used since 2006.

As you know ... Rihanna did a deal with PUMA where she had the company slap F.U. on her sweatshirts, jewelry and sandals, and Freedom United says that's just stealing.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the company claims RiRi knew there was an existing FU logo, because she was photographed in one of their hoodies in 2014 and, even before that, then-BF Chris Brown attended Freedom United's launch party back in 2007.

The suit goes on to say PUMA touts Rihanna as a lawbreaker of sorts, noting on PUMA's website it refers to the singer as "most likely to break the rules." Well, they say F.U. is evidence of that.

This isn't the first time Freedom United lashed out ... they fired off a cease-and-desist letter demanding that PUMA and Rihanna back off.

UCLA hoops star Shareef O'Neal says, despite being sidelined this season with a heart issue, he's still 100% committed to his dream of going to the NBA ... but admits he also has FASHION on the brain.

We broke the story ... Shaq and Shaunie's son was diagnosed with an issue that will require open heart surgery putting a halt to his hoops career, but according to O'Neal, not a stop at all.

"Basketball is still my main focus," O'Neal said when we got him out in L.A.

But, it's far from his ONLY focus ... because the 6'10" highlight machine says he's gonna use his time away from the court to build his skills in another area he loves.

"The NBA is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, but this is the opportunity to try to find other things if so. I mean, I've been doing a lot of stuff with fashion lately."

Shareef says he gets a lot of inspiration from his big brother Myles, who's making his name as a big-time model. As far as his dad's foray into the clothing world, not as much.

"I'm looking more for a higher-end fashion, I know how his mindset works."

10:17 AM PT -- A source close to Mel tells us any claims she struck Thomas are absolutely false. We're told Mel agreed to take a photo with the model and he continued to follow her around the venue, however, Mel never got physical with him. Our sources say Mel's team is already looking into possible legal action.

Mel B allegedly got handsy with a male model who went to cops, and now she's under criminal investigation ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Dujuan Thomas filed a report Sunday with LAPD, claiming Mel hit him in the chest Saturday night, after a hotel fashion show they both attended. Dujuan walked the runway, and Mel was in the audience.

We're told Dujuan ran into Mel backstage and asked her to take a picture with him and she obliged ... at first. Turns out, he didn't like the photo and asked for another one -- and that's when Mel allegedly hit him in the chest with her right hand.

Our sources say Dujuan told cops he ran into Mel again, later that night, at the same hotel. When she recognized him, she allegedly gave him a second blow to the chest.

We got video of Dujuan following and recording Mel in a hotel hallway, moments before the alleged second hit. She was walking with girlfriends, who noticed they were being followed. Mel turned around abruptly, seemingly to confront him, but the video cuts out.

Our law enforcement sources say Dujuan did not report any injuries and did not require medical attention. However, the case is still under investigation and we're told it'll eventually make its way to the L.A. City Attorney, who will determine if they want to prosecute.

The 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards turned into one big party onstage and off, with the best artists and biggest ballers turning up in South Beach ... showing off their ice, style and swag.

Some of the stars who were dripping extra hard ... award winners Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled, Gucci Mane and Keyshia Ka'Oir, Blac Chyna, T.I. and Tameka, O.T. Genasis, Fabolous ... and lots of other pairs and groups who reveled in the good times.

Also walking the red carpet at The Fillmore Miami Beach ... TMZ's Raquel Harper, in advance of her new TV show.

Kanye West's season of giving continued in Uganda ... with tons of kids getting Yeezys!!

Ye and Kim Kardashian West surprised a bunch of kids as their tour of the east African country continues. But first, they had to get there ... and our sources say none other than the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, gave Kimye permission to use his presidential helicopter so they could be flown to a kids' charity event.

We're told Kanye, Kim and their entourage were flown from Chobe, Uganda -- where they're staying -- to the event in Masulita, about 94 miles away. The pic above shows them arriving.

Kanye didn't waste time rapping for the kids ... who went wild as soon as they saw him and Kim. The kids sang but things got really wild when Kanye brought out several bags loaded with Yeezys. You gotta see their reaction ... frankly, it's just heartwarming.

As they were heading out ... Kim -- with Saint in tow -- was swarmed by reporters. Kim stopped to chat with them and shared some thoughts on her experience during their stay in Africa.

As you know ... Kanye gifted President Trump a pair of Yeezys last week, and also surprised the President of Uganda with his own pair. Neither was nearly as excited as these kids.

Well played, Ye!

Margot Robbie's been in full Sharon Tate mode while filming Quentin Tarantino's new Manson flick ... and shots like these show just how strong a resemblance she bears to the '60s actress.

QT's leading star for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" was on set Monday in L.A. getting ready to shoot a scene, decked out in a black turtleneck, white skirt and matching go-go boots.

We don't have to tell you how much she looks like Sharon, we'll just show you. Here's a photo of Sharon with her husband, Roman Polanski, in 1968 ... a year before she and 4 others were brutally murdered by the Manson family.

Sharon was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time she was killed in '69. Margot's already shot scenes with her faux pregnancy belly.

If her acting is anywhere near as spot-on as her look is -- and Sharon's sister indicated to us earlier this year that it is -- then we're almost certainly in for some Oscar-worthy work.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's Charles Barkley admitting he hasn't worn a pair of undies since 2008 ... AND NOT REGRETTING IT AT ALL!!!

"I've been 10 years without underwear," Chuck shamelessly said to Jimmy Fallon on Thursday's episode of the 'Tonight Show.'

"And, I feel good about it, Jimmy," he exclaimed!

The question was raised by Barkley's pal and "Inside the NBA" cohost Shaquille O'Neal -- who wanted to confirm a rumor he heard about Chuck's fashion choices below the waist.

The Round Mound of Rebound wasn't shy -- and explained:

"I thought they were unnecessary for space in the house. So, I gathered all my drawers together and had a big ole bonfire."

FYI ... Chuck's packin' a 6-foot-6, 252-pound (ish) frame into those underwear-less pants ... AND the dude lives in freakin' ARIZONA!!!!

Kanye West may have heard the outcry over his MAGA hat, because we found out he changed it up after the media left the Oval and gave Trump a cap, sans the word, "again."

Check out the embroidery on the hat the Prez is wearing ... "Make America Great." Kanye tells us it's an acknowledgment America needs work. It also seems to do away with the concept Obama screwed up the country -- although it's unclear if Trump agrees with that sentiment. Ye says he lobbied Trump during lunch on prison reform, manufacturing and other issues toward that end.

He says he told Trump he was going to create a factory in Chicago called Larry's -- as in Larry Hoover, the Chicago gang leader who's serving 6 life sentences for murder -- and says he'll hire former inmates to manufacture the Make America Great hats, among other items.

Ye was wearing a MAGA hat, because he says he only brought one hat without the word "again" but says he'll also start wearing the new version.

He also brought hats for Ivanka and Jared Kushner -- hers reads "Make Earth Great Again" and his says "Travel Space Again." Kanye showed Trump his concept idea for a new Air Force 1 too, calling it iPlane 1.

He also gave Trump a pair of Yeezys, size 12. He says his staff asked Trump's people for his shoe size in advance. BTW ... Yeezys usually run half a size small.

5:55 PM PT -- Not so fast. An industrial designer says Kanye's so-called iPlane 1 is hardly Ye's original idea. He told The Verge it's from his 2012 master's thesis imagining the future of air travel in 2030. The designer says he has no idea how Kanye found his designs, or what compelled him to claim the design as his idea.

WWE Hall of Famer Sunny's first order of business after being released from prison is a total Diva move ... girl went and got herself a mani-pedi!!

Less than 24 hours after getting out of the Carbon County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania, Tammy Sytch hit up a local shop back in her New Jersey hometown Wednesday to get her nails done.

However, Sunny tells TMZ ... her first selfie as a free woman will have to wait until after her upcoming hair appointment.

The wrestling legend also tells us she feels great, and she's happy to be home with her family and the man she loves.

As for her time behind bars, she says ... "I used the time to my advantage, worked more on my recovery and got in great shape. My probation violation cost me 7.5 months of my freedom, but I met a few good people I will miss. The one thing I won’t miss is the food!"

Kim Kardashian West is back in the jewelry game ... almost 2 years to the day after being bound, gagged, held at gunpoint and robbed of more than $6 million in bling.

Kim was at a Tiffany & Co. party Tuesday night in NYC, where she was dripping in blinding bling that she showed off on her IG story.

Ms. West, who was accompanied by a security dude, made it clear the jewels weren't hers ... they were loan-outs for the evening.

She's been relatively jewelry free since she was robbed at gunpoint in a Paris hotel room. She vowed at the time to shun these extravagances in the name of safety ... but now she's taking baby steps back to where she started.