A pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes that Kanye West wore when he performed his hits “Hey Mama” and “Stronger” at the Grammy Awards in 2008 just sold for $1.8 million to RARES, a sneaker investment marketplace, according to NBC News. It is the highest publicly recorded sale worldwide for any sneakers, and they are the first pair to be sold for at least $1 million.
Sotheby’s brokered the private sale for Ryan Chang. He is a renowned sneaker collector and curator at @applied.arts.nyc, according to Billboard.
“I loved having this pair in my collection, and have always admired its significance as a cultural artifact,” Chang said in a statement. “I’m so grateful that this iconic piece is going into good hands courtesy of Sotheby’s.”
The only other sale to come close to the record was when a pair of sneakers that were autographed by NBA legend Michael Jordan were sold. His Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers sold for $560,000 at an online Sotheby’s auction held last year on May 17.
Sotheby’s held its private sale and public viewing of West’s shoes at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last month. However, before then Nike reportedly sold the sample sneakers in a charity auction which benefited the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
The public will have the opportunity to purchase small shares in the Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes beginning on June 16. Spots can be reserved on the RARES website.
