UPDATE [27/04/21]: Kanye Westโs Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes have auctioned for a staggering US$1.8 million (AU$2.3 million) to become the most expensive sneakers ever sold.
Itโs hard to recall a time when Kanye West wasnโt involved with fashion given the current ubiquity of his $4.7 billion Yeezy empire, not to mention a certain billion-dollar deal the hip-hop icon has with Gap. But in the beginning, before the streetwear landscape was irrevocably changed, there was just Ye and a Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype โ the latter of which is on track to become the most expensive sneakers ever sold.
Having just resurfaced for a private sale hosted by Sothebyโs, the Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes made its debut on stage at the 2008 Grammys during Westโs performance of โHey Mamaโ and โStrongerโ. Fashion victory aside, West would later return to the stage and take four awards home: Best Rap Album (Graduation), Best Rap Performance โ Solo (โStrongerโ), Best Rap Performance โ Duo or Group (โSouthsideโ w/ Common), and Best Rap Song (โGood Lifeโ ft. T-Pain).
RELATED: Reebokโs Jurassic Park Sneakers Will Make You Irresistible To Women
โThis pair is critical to the development of the Yeezy franchise, which has become one of the most important sneaker and lifestyle brands in history,โ says Brahm Wachter, Head of Streetwear & Modern Collectibles at Sothebyโs.
โThe sneakers set off waves in the sneaker community as people tried to identify the mysterious pair. Afterward, we saw a series of collaborations between Kanye and Nike, and then later the birth of his line with Adidas.โ
Conceived in Nikeโs โInnovation Kitchenโ, the size 12 kicks feature a soft black leather upper with perforated detailing, Yeezy forefoot strap, signature Nike โYโ medallion lace locks, and of course, the iconic swoosh on the overlay. The sneakers will arrive at its new ownerโs doorsteps housed in a custom wooden box.
Kanye Westโs Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes โ AKA the most expensive sneakers ever sold โ is expected to auction sometime later this month for well over $1 million.
![most expensive sneakers kanye west yeezy prototypes](https://www.bosshunting.com.au/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/izM8XxyLg9MD6py1ribxJw/www.bosshunting.com.au/2021/04/7-3.jpg/w=9999)