If you're a sneakerhead with an affinity for rare finds and limited editions, then this is for you—a pair of Kanye West's first Nike Air Yeezy 1s is now being sold on the market, and Sotheby's is predicting that they could be valued upwards of $1 million.
The sneakers, which West first debuted on the Grammys stage in 2008, will be part of a private sale, which means that the actual price of the shoes will not be revealed until the buyer comes forward with it. Beyond the fact that they are a part of pop culture history, the shoes also marked the first time that Nike ever worked with a non-athlete influencer. Such was a pivotal moment for the U.S. brand and it marked a new era of sponsorships.
The Air Yeezy 1 line first launched in 2009 as a limited series and was later followed with a second installment, the Air Yeezy 2, three years later. In 2014, West officially withdrew from his partnership with Nike, claiming that he was not receiving a fair share of the revenue from the line. In a retaliatory move, he signed with Adidas instead, and their partnership went on to become incredibly successful, generating almost $1.7 billion in 2020.
Technically speaking, West did not have a hand in designing the shoes; however, his endorsement of them helped make the pair one of the most iconic pieces ever. Currently, they are being held by sneaker collector Ryan Chang, who will sell them to the highest bidder. He has put them on display in Hong Kong starting on April 16.
Just for reference, a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1s were sold last summer for $615,000 by Christie's. According to Caitlin Donavan, the Vice-President of Handbags & Accessories at the company, the story behind the shoes justifies the high price tag: "The shoes span art, pop culture, and sports history. This sale is a reflection of what defines luxury in the modern marketplace." West's Nike Air Yeezy 1s have a similar appeal, and it's only a matter of time before a crazed fan picks them up.
