Kanye West is set to head to trial next week over a dispute connected to the renovation of his controversial Malibu mansion — and the judge has already made it clear that courtroom fashion won’t be a spectacle.
At a final pre-trial hearing, Los Angeles County Judge Brock T. Hammond reminded attorneys that everyone involved in the case — from witnesses to spectators — must stick to the court’s dress code.
“The parties and witnesses you’re calling must comply with the basic dress code of the court. No hats, sunglasses, or revealing clothing. No drama,” Hammond said on Friday (Mar. 20), warning that anyone who ignores the rules won’t be allowed inside.
West and his wife, Bianca Censori, are both expected to take the stand. Given Censori’s headline-making wardrobe choices — and West’s own controversial fashion moments — the judge’s remarks seemed clearly directed at the high-profile couple.
The lawsuit was brought by Tony Saxon, a construction worker who says he was hired in 2021 to oversee renovations and provide security at the oceanfront property, originally designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando.
According to Saxon, he was promised $20,000 per week but claims he only received one payment. He also alleges he lived on-site under harsh conditions while carrying out increasingly unusual instructions. In the complaint, Saxon says he was ultimately fired after voicing safety concerns.
West bought the Malibu home in 2021 for $57.3 million and later gutted it down to its framework. He sold the property in 2024 for $21 million — significantly less than the original purchase price.
The trial is expected to run for about 12 days and may be the first of multiple legal battles tied to West’s business ventures to go before a jury. His attorney has already raised concerns about courthouse security, citing the possibility of large crowds due to West’s presence. The judge responded that security measures would be in place but made it clear there would be no special accommodations.
If the case moves forward as scheduled, jurors will hear claims that West pushed for unconventional renovation changes, including removing essential parts of the home’s infrastructure — actions Saxon argues created unsafe working conditions. Saxon is seeking unpaid wages and damages, while West has denied any wrongdoing. The trial is set to begin next week in Los Angeles.
