The Kanye West sneakers that dramatically changed and influenced the sneaker world are going up for sale at Sotheby’s, carrying an estimate of more than $1 million(INR 7.50 crore).
The Air Yeezy 1 launched in a limited series in 2009, followed by the Air Yeezy 2 in 2012.
The following year, West ended his partnership with Nike — deeming his share of the revenue insufficient — going on to work with Adidas in 2014.
The sneakers were the prototypes for the Yeezy line developed by West and Mark Smith for Nike and revealed by the rapper during his performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards.
Sotheby’s said that the Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes are being offered for private sale, starting on Monday. The auction house described them as among the most valuable sneakers ever brought to market.
Sneakers have become collector’s items in recent years, joining more traditional assets like art, wine, and jewelry at the world’s big auction houses.
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Kanye West wore Nike Air Yeezy 1 in 2008 Grammy Awards
In 2019, Sotheby’s held its first auction dedicated entirely to sneakers. In May last year, it sold a pair of 1985 Air Jordan 1’s, designed for and worn by basketball player Michael Jordan, for what was then a world-record $560,000
The black leather, size 12 Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes have a Yeezy forefoot strap and the brand’s signature Y medallion lace locks in pink.
West wore them for his emotional performances of “Hey Mama” and “Stronger” at the 2008 Grammy Awards, setting off a social media frenzy among fashionistas.
They were later sold in a charity auction and are being put up for sale at Sotheby’s by New York collector Ryan Chang.
Brahm Wachter, head of streetwear and modern collectibles at Sotheby’s, said the sneakers were “critical to the development of the Yeezy franchise, which became one of the most important sneakers and lifestyle brands in history.”
