Christie’s Presents Department X – Salon Privé Mag

Launching a new department this fall dedicated to sneakers, streetwear and sports collectibles.

Christie’s is delighted to announce Department X – Sneakers, Streetwear & Collectibles, a new department focused on this emerging collecting space, led by a dedicated auction and private sales team. Department X offers rare collectibles across a number of genres – music, fashion, art and sports history – bringing the best of this exciting category to a new generation of collectors.

From offering historic shoes to iconic pieces of hype culture, Department X will host online auctions, with live previews in New York, as well as private sales exhibitions throughout the year. .

Department X relies on Christie’s understanding of popular culture and strong global performances in the Luxury category, following the recent success of Six Rings – Legacy of the GOAT, featuring Michael Jordan sneakers and collectibles. On the occasion of the launch of Department X, Christie’s will present a private sale exhibition of two rare pairs of sneakers entitled “Ye Walks”.

Department X will be led by Caitlin Donovan. Born and raised in downtown New York, Caitlin has a broad interest and knowledge of the luxury and fashion markets, particularly sneakers and streetwear. Caitlin is a founding member and current head of the Americas department for handbags and accessories. She spearheaded these new sneaker, streetwear and collectibles initiatives at Christie’sintroducing this new category over the past three years of specialty sales.

Caitlin will assume the role of Head of Department, Department X, where she will continue to use her extensive knowledge and interest in these new collectible markets to develop exciting contemporary sales for a burgeoning collector base.

Caitlin Donovan, Head of Handbags, Streetwear and Sneakers at Christie’s – Americas: “With one finger on the pulse of popular culture and the evolution of what is defined as luxury today, we are proud to announce the launch of Department X – Sneakers, Streetwear & Collectibles. With exciting sales that will cross multiple genres of popular culture and collectibles – music, fashion and sports history – I am thrilled that new and existing Christie’s customers are embarking on this journey with us.

“Ye Walks” focuses on by Kanye West impact on the landscape of sports design and iconography. The NIKE AIR YEEZY 1 PROTOTYPE was the first sneaker designed by West with Nike creative director Mark Smith and designer Tiffany Beers in the Nike Innovation Kitchen after two years of vigorous efforts. The original Yeezy design features notable elements including the Air Tech Challenge II with the midfoot strap as well as midsole tooling inspired by the Air Jordan 3.

Featuring a glow-in-the-dark outsole, a translucent red “Y” shaped lace-up clasp and soft premium leather, this shoe’s design has been the source of the features now common to Yeezy’s innovative look. Illustrating premium quality and strong references to iconic models seen in popular collaborations, this model was the first of what would become a historic part of West’s design legacy.

Worn during West’s historic and emotional performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, this pair was the first Air Yeezy 1 prototype seen in a public arena, a momentous moment for sneaker culture and the birth of West’s illustrious career in as a designer and brand.

The NIKE DONDA WEST AIR JORDAN VI was created in memory of West’s mother, Dr Donda West. The classic silhouette features the lyrics to West’s song “Roses” and features his mother’s name on the sock liner. The toe box and upper panels are decorated with intricate laser roses throughout. The heel and tongue are beautifully finished with embroidered roses. The Air Jordan VI was one of West’s favorites at this time in his career.

Donda Jordan The VIs have never been released for public sale. They were created for West and a few of his close friends and family. There are only four to six official pairs, one of which Christie’s is proud to bring to market.

Christie

editor

Christie’s, the world’s leading art company, achieved auction sales in the first half of 2019 that totaled £2.2bn/$2.8bn. Christie’s is a name and a place that speaks of extraordinary craftsmanship, unparalleled service and international expertise. Christie’s offers approximately 350 auctions per year in more than 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photography, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s also has a long and successful history of private sales for clients across all categories, with a focus on post-war and contemporary, impressionist and modern, old masters and jewellery.