5 Yeezy sneakers that changed fashion
We tell you some facts about the Yeezy brand of Kanye West and the most loved and sought-after accessories
Exactly 20 years ago, Kanye West was on the hunt for success conducting radio programs: he mostly wore red polo shirts, vintage-flavored Air Max Nike and boots (according to the trends of that period). A counterculture image for the time despite the desire to be identified with the world of rap: it was not the image (which today we can define avant-garde) but his witty jokes to capture the attention of some musical idols of the moment. Beanie Sigel’s brother coined the nickname 'Yeezy' for the first time during an exchange of jokes.
Over time he will appreciate it, especially when in 2004 Kanye West completely revolutionized the hip hop style with the video All falls down (ft. Syleena Johnson). He wears t-shirts with a raised collar and a series of sneakers that immediately become cool (and sought-after), some of which are personalized by himself. Everyone calls him 'Yeezy'.
He started collaborations creating limited edition drops, first with Nike (the divorce is even brought on stage with a series of rhymes) and then with adidas: his stylistic mark is not only the creative trait but includes the name Yeezy with which he will sign the produced designs. It is in fact at the All-Star Week-end of 2015 that Kanye West presents his first major success, the adidas Yeezy Boost 750. Following the relaunch of the Yeezy Boost 350, on the occasion of the Yeezy Season 1 show at New York Fashion Week: the shoes, adding even more male mysticism to the running trend, are immediately out with 'five-star' reviews.
With the help of fellow sneaker pioneer and industry veteran Steven Smith (known for cult designs, including the New Balance 997, the Reebok instapump Fury and the elusive Hello Kitty x Nike Air Presto), the Yeezy design team creates innovative silhouettes, futuristic and especially influential. In the wishlist cannot miss the Yeezy Boost 500 - Kanye West starts from an archival model designed by James Carnes in the late 90s - and the Yeezy Boost 700 - where he mixes the net and suede to create a dramatically chunky silhouette -.
A separate chapter is dedicated to slides: it is thanks to him that today we consider the nostalgic 'pool slippers' such a cool item. In 2019 he launched the first model, the Yeezy Slide, characterized by the injection of EVA foam that gives a particular comfort to the foot. A model that tells the love of Kanye for simplicity and the continuous search for practicality.
