The Creative Process Of The Jordan Heels Began With The Discussion Around Ideas

The Jordan Heels was developed from a strong relationship between West and Nike. Partnering with Nike Creative Director, Mark Smith, Kanye was taken through the product creation process, the same way athletes have with Nike Design for the past 37 years. This creative partnership of Smith and West's talents as designers yielded a unique Nike Sportswear sneaker worth the wait. "Kanye is a truly creative talent" said Smith. "He's a natural designer—partnerships like this always enhance the creative experience and the end product." West agrees that the partnership with Nike Dunk Heels has been exciting.

"Nike is such an important brand to me," said West. "Whether you are on the court, in the street, in the club, at school, Nike represents excellence, the standard in design. Growing up, we looked forward to the release of new Nike's the way we would an album by our favorite artist. So the opportunity to collaborate on a design with Mark Smith and Nike Design has been a dream come true, and a great experience."

From the start, West and Nike's shared vision was clear: to create a modern classic. An original Nike footwear style, that reflects elements of Nike's sporting past, and remixes them with Nike innovation to deliver a unique shoe.

The creative process of the Jordan Heels began with the discussion around ideas and inspirations. The shoe began to take shape through a series of drawings and samples, each pulling inspiration and reference from some of Nike's iconic innovations and rich design history, across both Basketball and Sportswear styles.

Expressing his artistic talents further, Mr.West set out to work on what would eventually become his signature sneaker. Combining details from his love for designer shoes, West chose a high top platform with features of various Air Jordan High Heels models including the AJIII and AJV while incorporating a bulkier tongue, fashionable patent leather mid-foot strap along with high quality textiles.

To top off the design, a glow in the dark sole was added, complementing the 2008 Glow in the Dark Tour. With the help of Nike's Innovative Kitchen over an extensive several months, all of West's visions molded into something that would embody the artist in every way. Garnering attention since the sneakers first appearance at the 2008 Grammy Awards, there have been various rumors regarding release but as of now will remain exclusive to Kanye West in his size 12, with a release looking very dim. For further information regarding the entire design process.Sole Collector is doing a feature here.

West is known for his non-stop energy both on the stage and off so the Air Jordan Boots had to support and sustain West from start to finish. An almost obsessive focus was put on delivering supreme comfort throughout the development of the shoe. Equipped with debossed ankle collar pods for added support and protection, extra-thick sock liners, a forefoot support strap, original functional tension lace loops, and Phylon tooling taken from the 1987 Nike Dunk Heels Air Assault for added performance and comfort—all developed and integrated with one goal in mind: to keep Kanye on lock down in cushioned comfort during his performances during his many notoriously strenuous artistic live performances.

These performance attributes have been meticulously wrapped in premium full grain leather uppers and adorned with original design details that are uniquely Kanye and identifiably Nike. The remastered Nike Air Assault outsole is treated to glow-in-the-dark properties and will illuminate when the light is low. The forefoot support strap is premium grade patent leather and is of no-stitch construction. Clean seams are used throughout except for a premium suede toe wrap feature with visible stitch detail. Emblazoned across the Jordan High Heels is an exclusive "Y" repeat pattern, as either a debossed or lasered detail, which takes inspiration from the Jordan brands iconic Elephant print material. This graphic treatment was developed by West and Smith to pay tribute not only to the name of the shoe and it's co-creator, but also to the various moments in history that spurred West's initial inspiration for the Jordan Heels.