• 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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• Nike Air Yeezy Art “AirPlane Yeezy” by Krupky

New media artist Krupky, who created several pieces of sneaker art for the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, has deconstructed the black and pink Nike Air Yeezy sneaker and turned it into a work of art titled, “AirPlane Yeezy”. At first glance, your typical sneaker head and shoe collector may cringe at the sight of the Air Yeezy’s components removed from its sneaker mold. But with a more careful eye and open mind, one can only stand in amazement at Krupky’s creation. After deconstruction, Krupky assembled the Air Yeezy with glue and screws, and attached it to a craft wire by using the Yeezy’s original shoe laces. The entire piece stands on wood made of ebonized walnut with spring wire, which includes runway dots that glow in the dark; a perfect complement to the Air Yeezy’s glow in the dark sole.

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• Air Yeezy Doernbecher Raffle T-shirts

As the Nike Air Yeezy Charity Auctions ended this past weekend, Sole Collector and the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital are completing the Yeezy For Doernbecher charity series by offering the public two t-shirts where proceeds will once again benefit the charity. In addition, individuals who purchase a t-shirt will automatically qualify for a raffle where the selected winner receives a brand new pair of the Net/Net (tan) Nike Air Yeezy. A bonus is that the pair of Yeezys will be lasered with personalized text and graphics by Mark Smith.

One t-shirt has a pink print on a black t-shirt where the  front graphic resembles the same laser design on the custom wooden box that houses the Grammy Air Yeezys that reads “KW YEEZY”. The second Yeezy For Doernbecher t-shirt features a glow-in-the-dark print on a black t-shirt with a front graphic that resembles the Air Yeezy’s original designs. Both t-shirts also feature similar sleeve and back designs.

Visit Sole Collector to find out pricing and purchasing information

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• Air Yeezy Doernbecher Charity Auction Ends

This past Saturday, September 19, at 7:30 PM PST, the Nike Air Yeezy Doernbecher Charity Auctions ended, raising a total of $23,900 for the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The size 12, 1-of-1 Grammy Air Yeezy shoes that Kanye West actually wore at the 2008 Grammy Awards fetched $16,500, while the 1-of-1 sample of the Air Yeezy with the Jordan 6 sole went for $7,400. Two die-hard sneaker heads obtain extremely rare Air Yeezy samples to add to their collection, while the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital receives the proceeds. If you ask me, it’s a wonderful outcome that is a win-win situation

Grammy Nike Air Yeezy

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• Air Yeezy Upper Design Process

Back in March, prior to all the Nike Air Yeezy hysteria and official release dates, Complex had an Air Yeezy gallery which included photos that revealed the evolution of the Air Yeezy sneaker. The photos revealed the original sketches and initial plans that Kanye West and the Nike team had put together throughout the planning stages of the collaboration. Now, as the 3 releases have long passed, Sole Collector shares with the public (never before seen) behind-the-scenes photos of the making of the Air Yeezy upper. Aside from its glow in the dark sole, the Air Yeezy’s upper is definitely a “neck breaker” and something to marvel at. Inspired by the McFly sneaker/silhouette, Kanye envisioned his shoe to have a retro appeal with a luxury twist.

Visit Sole Collector for the entire story behind the Air Yeezy upper

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• Air Yeezy on 100 Best Sneakers of the 2000s

With all the hype and astronomical aftermarket prices that the Nike Air Yeezy commanded during the 3 consecutive months of each colorway’s release, it was only right that the shoe found its way on Complex Magazine’s 100 Best Sneakers of the 2000s list. The Air Yeezy,  a collaboration between Kanye West and Nike, was #5 on a list that included some of the most sought-after shoes that have been released in this decade. Some of the shoes that joined the Air Yeezy in the top 10 included the Nike Dunk SB Tiffany, Nike Dunk SB Jedi, Air Max 90 Bacon, and the UNDFTD Air Jordan IV.

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