Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 sneakers set for US$1 million-plus auction at Sotheby’s – see them in Hong Kong
- The sneaker prototypes for the rapper’s Yeezy line are being put up for sale at Sotheby’s and will go on public display in Hong Kong from April 16-21
- Brahm Wachter, head of streetwear and modern collectibles at Sotheby’s, says the sneakers were ‘critical to the development of the Yeezy franchise’
The Kanye West sneakers that helped turn athletic shoes into coveted fashion items are up for sale at auction house Sotheby’s, where they are estimated to fetch more than US$1 million.
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 says the Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes are being offered for private sale, starting on April 12. The auction house describes them as being among the most valuable sneakers ever brought to market.
Sneakers have become collectors’ items in recent years, joining more traditional assets like art, wine and jewellery at the world’s big auction houses.
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.
