Video: Fashion Leaders Love This New Trinidadian Rapper

The international music arena is abuzz with the sounds and persona of the new kid on the block Theophilus London. With the release of his debut album entitled 'Times Are Weird These Days,' London is taking his music to levels only reached so far by the major players like Jay Z and Kanye West.

And because of his impeccable sense of style the Trinidad born and Brooklyn raised rapper is also a rising star among fashion royalty.  The Skanner News Video Theophilus London

Over the past weeks he's been seen perched front row at the men's wear shows in Paris.  He's also been seen hobnobbing with the glitterati in Cannes, posed in an advertising campaign wearing Lanvin, struck a deal with Cole Haan Shoes to design a special `blue shoe' and is gearing up to launch his own clothing and accessories line with the European powerhouse LVRS who owns the major French fashion brands.

London started rapping and performing when he was 12 and 13 years old.  His two cousins were rappers who, he says, made words sound so very cool.  "I'd do like two lines and stop, but they told me `No, Keep on going.'  I was banging beats against tables and chairs at school and it never stopped," was how he described his entry into the music business.  An admirer of James Brown, Prince, Biggie Smalls, Mark Ronson and Kanye West, London will be on tour for three months with Big Boi and Friendly Fires and has a new mix tape in the works, which he says is dedicated to all of the sexy women behind the scenes.  "Not models," he emphasized, but for all journalists who sit at their desks and the women behind the camera.  Among the curious guests at his recent New York appearance in Central Park were Jay Z, Kanye West and Solange Knowles.

London seems like a natural fashion plate, although he says he's not really into fashion. Whatever! Fashion houses are running after him and he has admitted that he e-mails Kanye West quite often to talk style.  "We acknowledge what's next and what's new," he said.

London told Style.com that he has a good eye and a strong sense of what he likes. "I love to shop, I'm just not like a fashion guru though.  I didn't grow up drawing models and telling them what they should wear.  But I could dress someone else up. Actually I just started dressing the band.  I never go for just one look, very much like my music. When I do a photo shoot I would rather shoot in something iconic, like Lanvin or Tommy Hilfiger.  I like to step out of my comfort zone.  I have the height and attitude to wear anything...I can pull off anything, the only thing I cannot wear are leotards."

London is also known for customizing everything from jeans to jackets.  In Paris, he picked up different buttons to put on his jackets, sewed patches on his clothes and even dyed fabrics to his satisfaction.  His own fashion line, which will be launched later this year, will include his own signature hats, blazers and unisex outfits.  He also has collaborated with menswear designer Carlos Campos. He has appeared in Campos' ads and admires his work, he says.  

"He's tight and has a good vision,"

London's coffee table book is in production.

 "It will be lifestyle photo book of all my travels featuring all of the cute people in my life.  I would love to collaborate with Givenchy and Lanvin has been showing me a lot of love lately."