• Kanye Wearing Balmain Jeans and Air Yeezys

Not only has it been quite a while since Kanye West has been in the spotlight, but it’s also been several months since he’s been seen wearing his collaboration shoes with Nike, the Air Yeezy. In previous months, many of the shoes Kanye’s been wearing had subtle silhouettes and colorways, all from high-end designer brands. To see him wearing the Air Yeezys this past week, and the first ones at that, is very appropriate considering all the recognition the shoe is receiving as being one of the top sneakers of 2009. In addition to the Air Yeezy shoes, Kanye’s also wearing black Balmain jeans.

Source: KanyeWest.us

• Matt Halfhill’s Top 10 Sneakers of 2009

Matt Halfill, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the online magazine NiceKicks.com, has come together with Complex to create a list that showcases the top sneakers from this past year. Matt Halfhill’s Top 10 Sneakers of 2009 features highly-sought after shoes such as the Nike 1/2 Cent “Royal”, Air Jordan 11 Space Jam, and the Nike Air Foamposite “Eggplant”. It’s definitely a true sneaker head’s list that includes sneakers geared for various sports and lifestyles. However, despite all the great shoe releases from ‘09, Kanye West’s blank/pink Nike Air Yeezy beat out the rest and was able to claim the #1 spot on Halfhill’s list. With reputable outlets and figures, like BusinessWeek and Halfhill, recognizing the collaboration shoe between Kanye and Nike is a reinforcement to the significance the Air Yeezy had on sneaker culture and fashion in 2009.

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• Grammy Air Yeezy for Doernbecher Relisted

For anyone that missed out on the Grammy Air Yeezy shoes, it’s been re-listed on Ebay by Sole Collector due to a non-paying winner when the shoes were first up for auction. If you have the funds, this shoe would be a valuable addition to any sneaker head’s collection. In case you aren’t aware of the relevance of this particular Nike Air Yeezy, it is the same exact pair that Kanye West wore at the 2008 Grammy Awards. It is a size 12 and only a 1-of-1 sample that Nike created solely for Kanye. Not only that, but the proceeds of the auction will also go to the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The auction ends November 1 at 7:33 PST.

Nike Air Yeezy Doernbecher Ebay Auction

Source: Sole Collector

• Franalations’ Size 6.5 Black/Pink Air Yeezy

I don’t usually like posting live auctions on here, but I figure I’d make an exception in this case because of the rarity of the item. Sneaker aficionado, Franalations has put up his size 6.5 black/pink Nike Air Yeezy up for bids on Ebay with a starting price of $215. The auction for his used Yeezys ends on October 27 at 9:40 PM PST, and is currently at $228 with 4 bids. The Air Yeezys were already limited from the beginning of its release, but throw in the fact that these are the highly-coveted colorway of the 3 and a size 6.5 makes it all the more unique. If you wear a size 6.5 (or a size 7 because Yeezys are known to run a half size larger) and are looking for the black/pink Air Yeezys, I suggest you keep a close eye on Franalations’ auction.

Franalations’ Ebay auction for his size 6.5 black/pink Nike Air Yeezy

• Ibn Jasper Skates Black/Pink Air Yeezy

Even though the Nike Air Yeezy is technically a basketball shoe (or at least a shoe with a significant amount of basketball influence and construction), it’s apparently also a great shoe to skate in. Levi Maestro first skated in the black/pink Yeezys on episode 6 of Maestro Knows, weaving through the Los Angeles streets. Here’s a video of Kanye West’s barber and style consultant, Ibn Jasper, skating in the black/pink Air Yeezy shoes on the set of Kid Cudi’s Make Her Say music video shoot.

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• Nike Air Yeezy Process

Keeping up with all their behind the scenes features of the making of the Nike Air Yeezy, Sole Collector reveals the process that went on between Nike, specifically Mark Smith and Tiffany Beers, and Kanye West to create one of the most sought-after shoes in the history of sneaker culture. Regarding how they went about the Air Yeezy project, Beers said,

It’s all part of the process in the IK (Innovation Kitchen). We didn’t do the formal meetings or presentations; we didn’t have time. We just cranked things out, interruptions and all. As few folks do, Kanye got to see firsthand a couple days in the life of the Innovation Kitchen. It’s busy; it’s scattered; it’s crazy, and it’s a ton of fun, while still making a bunch of cool stuff.”

After 2 years, multiple revisions and samples, and brainstorming sessions with Kanye, the Nike Air Yeezy evolved in front of their very own eyes. It’s always interesting to discover the labor of love that goes into any project. To truly understand the motives and inspirations behind the creation of the Air Yeezy, it’s important to educate yourself with the behind the scenes aspect. I am fortunate enough to own 2 out of the 3 Yeezys, and being aware of its history and background surely makes me appreciate the pair of shoes even more.

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