Nike Yeezy

Kanye West has always seen himself as more than a musician. As a non-athlete, he wanted to break new ground at Nike and establish his own Jordan-like brand. In 2009, it happened. Inspired by the high tops of the 1980s, West's Air Yeezy 1 melded a classic look with new textures. One popular colorway is the sedate Zen Grey/Light Charcoal. The Air Yeezy 2 was more innovative. West utilized Nike's performance technology, especially in the soles. The uppers, though, were more fashion-forward. The Air Yeezy 2 included reptilian touches like rubber heel spikes and a scaly-patterned "skin." Though they were synthetic, the Yeezy 2s evoked natural animal prints, a mainstay of high fashion. Hugely successful fashion crossovers for Nike, the Air Yeezy 1 and 2 were frustrating collaborations for Kanye. Unhappy with both Nike's lack of urgency around the Red October release and his no-royalty deal, West jumped ship for adidas in 2013. His Nike Yeezy shoes are of great interest to collectors as the results of that no-longer continuing partnership.