Kanye’s Yeezys become the most expensive pair of shoes to go on auction

The world has seen its most expensive pair of shoes, so far, as Kanye West’s pair of sneakers auction for $1 million, according to the auction house selling them.

The shoes were designed by the rapper and were first worn at a Grammy’s performance in 2008. The shoes were collected by shoe collector Ryan Chang, through Sotheby’s auction house and are up for display in Hong Kong.

Sotheby’s described the pair of Yeezys as “one of the most prized and sought-after sneakers in existence. The auction house did not reveal the exact asking price though it said the value placed on the shoes was “in excess of $1 million.  

Sneakers are gradually gaining the same collectible status as wine or jewelry. In 2019, Sotheby’s held its first entire sneakers sale. About Kanye’s Yeezys, Brahm Wachter, head of streetwear and modern collectibles at the global auction house said in a statement that the shoes have become “critical to the development of the Yeezy franchise, which became one of the most important sneaker and lifestyle brands in history.”

The pair of shoes are a US size 12, or UK size 11 – West’s shoe size.

The last auctioned most expensive shoes in American history were a pair of 1985 Nike Air Jordan 1s which sold for $615,000 by Christie’s, last year. In 2016, what was believed to be the “most expensive” shoes were designed by Bicoin and Mache Custom Kicks. The sneakers were decorated with diamonds and sapphires and were estimated around $4 million.

The pair of Yeezys would be sold in a private sale, which means that neither the buyer nor the final price will be disclosed to the public. Unless with the approval of the buyer. Part of what makes the sneakers so pricey is the fact that Nike had never collaborated with non-athletes.