Kanye West’s first pair of Yeezy sneakers are in Hong Kong and are expected to sell for over US$1 million at Sotheby’s, making them the world’s most expensive trainers

Apr 19 , 2021

Kanye West at the Grammy awards in 2008, and his pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes. Photos: @PhotosOfKanye/Twitter, Sotheby’s

Unveiled at the 2008 Grammys, the Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes, featuring a faded Nike logo and signature Yeezy strap, spawned the billionaire’s fashion empire

The highest sneaker sale to date was a pair of autographed Nike Air Jordans worn by Michael Jordan in 1985, sold by Christie’s for US$615,000

The shoes that spawned Kanye West’s sneaker empire are going up for sale at the historic Sotheby’s auction house.

The Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes are expected to sell for over US$1 million, according to the auctioneer’s estimates, making them the most expensive trainers to ever hit the market.

Kanye West at the 2008 Grammy Awards with his Yeezy trainers. Photo: @PhotosOfKanye/Twitter

The shoes represent the first Yeezy trainers ever worn in public by West when he debuted them at the Grammy Awards in 2008 during his performance of Hey Mama and Stronger. The shoes feature a faded Nike swoosh alongside West’s signature Yeezy strap.

The trainers will be sold in a custom wooden box that features a design from the shoe’s designer, Mark Smith.

A visitor takes a picture next to Kanye West’s Air Yeezy trainers at an exhibition in Hong Kong on April 16. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The size-12 shoes will be on display at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 16 through 21 and will be available for private sale through Sotheby’s site after the exhibition.

West’s 2008 Grammy moment created a buzz among sneakerheads and, ultimately, helped West achieve a billionaire status in 2020. Trainer collector Ryan Cheng, who is listing the shoes for the private sale, said in a press release that the shoes encapsulate a cultural movement.