The Nike Air Yeezy II, the heavily anticipated follow-up to the brand’s 2009 joint venture with hip hop superstar and fashion designer Kanye West, will be released at select retailers worldwide on June 9, Nike announced Wednesday.
The colorways released for the limited edition shoe will be the same as the Air Yeezy I-Platinum with orange accents and black with pink accents. Designers also brought back the mint green glow-in-the-dark sole that was a focal point of the originals.
Besides the colorways, Nike’s design team took the original Air Yeezy and made it much more aesthetically pleasing. The high collar has been lowered, giving the AYII less bulk than its predecessor. Hand woven anaconda textured leather quarter panels are connected by a molded rear panel that is sculpted with a reptilian-inspired spike, while the strap has been scaled down for a more symmetric look and lock down.
“There’s absolute function in the Air Yeezy II’s core,” Nike said in a press release. “Unnecessary padding was eliminated, and the foot-hugging tongue and plush collar are both comfortable and breathable. Fit was essential to the design with the goal to make the shoe slimmer than the original by tailoring it to Kanye West’s foot. The collar was also lowered to allow for greater movement.”
The Air Yeezy II’s will retail for $245 and are only being released in select stores, so expect to camp out if you expect to get your hand on a pair.
