Before the Nike Air Yeezy became one of the most talked-about sneakers of 2009, it was a developing project between Kanye West and Nike’s design team. West first brought the shoe into the public eye when he wore an early sample during his performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2008. The sneaker’s bold shape and unusual details immediately caught the attention of sneaker fans.
Created with Nike designer Mark Smith, the Air Yeezy blended performance-footwear influences with a fashion-forward look. Its defining features included a high-cut collar, oversized padded tongue, adjustable midfoot strap, layered upper materials and a distinctive glow-in-the-dark outsole. The repeating Y-pattern, custom lace lock and heel details gave the shoe its own identity.
The first-generation Nike Air Yeezy arrived in three retail colorways in 2009: Zen Grey/Light Charcoal on April 4, Black/Pink (often called “Blink”) on May 4, and Net/Tan on June 1. The original suggested retail price was $215. Each release was limited, and demand quickly made the Air Yeezy a landmark sneaker collaboration.
More than a celebrity-branded release, the Air Yeezy marked a major moment in sneaker culture: Kanye West became the first non-athlete to receive a Nike signature shoe. The project helped demonstrate how music, fashion and footwear could come together to shape a generation of sneaker design.
Further reading
- Sneaker News: Nike Air Yeezy prototypes and the making of the shoe
- Sneaker News: Air Yeezy release date and price confirmation
- Nice Kicks: Nike Air Yeezy photo gallery
Photo: Sneaker News. This archive post covers the original Nike Air Yeezy (2009), not the later Air Yeezy II.