The Yeezy logo contains just one word—the brand’s name, Yeezy. A horizontal stroke complements the “Z,” like in the Polish and Latin spellings. Moreover, when it comes to scaling, this symbol isn’t similar to the regular “Z”—it refers to “dz,” another highlight of the brand.
Kanye West established the Yeezy brand in 2009 as a label for adorned sneakers. The performer-turned designer has his own private line of clothing, a series of footwear styles, as well as accessories released in partnership with Louis Vuitton, APC, Nike, and Adidas. The Yeezy logo appears in all of the items.
Illuminati Controversy
Conspiracy theorists often try to link Illuminati symbolism with many of today’s logos, including the Yeezy emblem. For example, the Nike Air Yeezy II contains three features that can be mistakenly perceived as Illuminati symbols—an eagle, a pyramid, and an eye (Eye of Providence).
Design Elements of the Yeezy Logo
The Yeezy logo harmoniously complements its well-known partner brands. The labels of Nike, Adidas, and other fashion labels are at the top, while “Yeezy” is located at the bottom.
The Yeezy emblem symbolizes the steadfast character of Kanye West, including his determination and dedication. This is proven by even corners, clear edges, and strict lines. The geometric shape works in perfect harmony with the emblems of partner brands.
The “Yeezy” brand name is rendered in uppercase in a sleek font. The “Z” in the brand has a horizontal stroke that doesn’t go past the letter’s margins. The emblem is written with a simple and elongated sans serif font.
The logo’s color scheme is variable, based on the shoe or clothing color. However, it’s black and white in standard form.
The History of Yeezy
In 2006, Kanye West designed his first pair of shoes for Adidas but they never saw the light of day. West officially partnered with Bape, leading to the release of a pair of shoes known as Bapesta “College Dropout.” Bapesta shoes are very rare to find these days and, naturally, attract high resell prices.
West also went on to make shoes for Louis Vuitton, Giuseppe Zanotti, and not least Nike. West’s partnership with Nike lasted five years, during which he released Yeezy I and Yeezy II sneaker designs.
In 2013, West ended his collaboration with Nike after releasing Air Yeezy 2s. It broke his heart to end the partnership even though Nike chose to donate some of his earnings to his chosen charity rather than pay royalties for his designs.
After leaving Nike, West was able to approach Adidas, and fortunately they agreed to pay royalties for his designs. In fact, Adidas offered him a 15% wholesale royalty. Therefore, West saw Adidas as a partner that helped him push his brand.
In February 2015, Kanye West and Adidas officially launched their partnership. That happened exactly 15 months after both parties confirmed the collaboration.
Fortunately, the highly anticipated “Yeezy Season I” debut was graced by famous celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Diddy. Likewise, “Yeezy Season II” and “Yeezy Season III” were massive successes after being released.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the Yeezy brand gave out a $2.5 million loan on the Paycheck Protection Program to keep its 106 employees.
What’s the Meaning of Yeezy?
Inspired by his idol Jay-Z, who christened him J-Hov (or Hov), shortened form of Jehovah (God in Hebrew), Kanye West opted for the name “Yeezus” to declare himself as the “Lord of Rap music.”
Yeezus was inspired by the name of the son of God, Jesus, who all Christians believe is the spirit of God and the Messiah who is expected to make his second coming at any time. Also, Yeezus is the title of West’s groundbreaking 6th studio album that came out in 2013.
For his collaboration with fashion labels, he followed the nickname trend of hip hop stars by adding “eezy” to his nickname “Ye.” Other artists who’ve done similar include Christopher Maurice Brown (Breezy), Eric Lynn Wright (Eazy-E), Jay Wayne Jenkins (Jeezy), Lil Wayne (Weezy), and Aubrey Drake Graham (Drizzy).
Moreover, Ye is the title of West’s 8th studio album that he released in 2018.
Forbes reports that Yeezy is the short form of Kanyeezy, the nickname that Jay-Z gave Kanye West in the introduction to the track “Lucifer” on his 2003 studio album named “The Black Album.”
Yeezy Clothing
Yeezy Season I clothing was released in October 2015. The clothing collection included a ready-to-wear and stripped-down style inspired by flesh-toned colors and military apparel. Their prices started at $600 per sweatpants all the way up to as much as $3,000 per jacket.
Unfortunately, the clothing collection didn’t sell out as fast as their footwear collection.
In 2018, Kanye West revealed in an interview that he was discussing a $30 million apparel deal with Louis Vuitton. The deal was, however, knocked back by Louis Vuitton, leaving West without an apparel partner.
And since misfortune always seems to follow misfortune, Adidas ended their partnership with Yeezy clothing—shortly after the deal for Yeezy Season I was signed. Instead, Adidas opted to devote its full energies to the Yeezy footwear line.
During the unveiling of Yeezy Season 6 in 2018, the partners re-introduced several collections with Adidas branding, with a promotional ad featuring Paris Hilton, porn star Lela Star, and other models.
Yeezy Footwear
In 2015, Adidas Yeezy sneakers were released and have kept selling out ever since—the sales actually keep improving year on year. The sneakers have become wildly popular to the extent that new releases usually sell out in less than 60 seconds—which is why some people use sneaker bots to get any Yeezy footwear.
The first Adidas Yeezy footwear collection was Yeezy Boost 750, which was inspired by a shoe design from Australia. West had hopes of designing futuristic sneakers. He even declared himself “the most powerful individual in footwear.” Well, he’s just about right!
Yeezy Boost 750
Yeezy Season I marked the release of “Light Brown” Yeezy Boost 750 in limited edition. Within 10 minutes, the 9,000 pairs available sold out. Thereafter, the “Light Brown” Yeezy Boost 750 was available through a wide variety of stores for seven days.
Yeezy Boost 350
Yeezy Boost 350 made a massive impact when it hit the market. The biggest of all was the famous release of the “Turtle Dove” Yeezy Boost 350. It was Adidas trademarked material woven into complex patterns from dark blue and white, with a unique rubber sole and heel tab.
Minimal laces make these sneakers fit well on any foot. The sneakers are the ideal fashion statement or running shoes.
Yeezy Boost 350 V2
During the third season of Yeezy, Kanye released some brand new color schemes for the popular Yeezy Boost 350 and received some positive feedback.
The first shoe in the range was “Beluga” Yeezy Boost 350 V2. It featured a new structure and did away with the heel tab. The most noticeable alteration for the shoe was the inclusion of the stripe SPLY-350 plastered on the side.
This was followed by other Yeezy Boost 350 V2 versions, like Zebra, Black and White, and Cream White.
Yeezy Boots 950
The Yeezy Boost 950 sneakers are the perfect fit if you find yourself fleeing from zombies or fishing alone in the wilderness. The features include a mixed canvas, metal eyelets, as well as nubuck upper.
In addition, there’s a large heel tab, minimal tongue patch, suede details on the eye stay, as well as matching tonal laces. It’s possible that West predicted some sort of Armageddon. And, to be honest, 2020 was something a little close to that!
These shoes even feature waterproof rubber soles that help keep the feet dry during the winter. These are your go-to shoes if you have to trek through hot climates in case of an apocalypse!
Yeezy 350 Cleat
This line of Yeezy sneakers was specifically created for football. Therefore, it debuted in an NFL kickoff game in 2016. However, Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was charged and fined $6,000 by the NFL for having Yeezy 350 Cleats on—because they didn’t have a strong base color as stipulated by the NFL kit policy.
Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas
In March 2017, Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas made its debut. The shoe was an old-school sneaker that upgraded the Adidas trainers designed in the 1980s. It came with a quality white leather upper part, a red Trefoil emblem, perforated stripes, and green Adidas branding.
The second color scheme version (tonal grey) was introduced worldwide in December 2017, retailing at $120 a pair. Then in March 2018, a Core Black color scheme version was released.
After releasing the first three color schemes, Adidas continued to create many Powerphase Boost versions minus the Yeezy Calabasas symbol.
Adidas then re-introduced the 1980s Adidas trainer that was the inspiration for Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas.
Yeezy Boost 700
During Yeezy Season 5, Yeezy Boost 700 made its debut in August 2017. The shoe cost $300 per pair.
During the shoe launch, the Adidas and West collaboration was expected to introduce black and white or gum color schemes in 2018.
In March 2019, the Yeezy brand released the “Geode” Yeezy Boost 700 V2 alongside a countrywide lemonade stand charity initiative geared towards raising funds for mental health awareness.
Yeezy 500
Combining aspects of the 1990s “Feet You Wear” Adidas outsole with a military-shoe-inspired upper, Yeezy 500 was yet another proof that Kanye West still retains the ability to surprise and amaze sneaker lovers with new designs.
Colloquially referred to as the “Desert Rat,” following early teasers and rumored color schemes, these sneakers definitely resemble something you’d have on when trekking through the desert!
Yeezy Boost 380
In December 2019, the Yeezy brand, in partnership with Adidas, released the first Yeezy Boost 380 in the United States. This was a surprise release done by Yeezy’s Supply site.
Yeezy Boost 380 came out as a sister to Yeezy Boost 350 V2. In fact, these sneakers were reportedly originally known as the 350 V3 before ultimately being named 380. They do boast plenty of similar design features as 350 V2, including the overall look, transparent stripes, and knit upper.
However, they feature a translucent sole that does away with the ridged appearance of the V2 and a shiny new Rorschach-ian print.
These sneakers are out of this world, even if their namesake West track (Alien) will never be aired on this planet.
Yeezy Foam Runner
This pair of Adidas Yeezy sneakers is the first one designed in the United States. It was originally available to buy on the company’s Supply website in June 2020. The shoe was partly made from harvested algae, and the first color scheme (Ararat) was available at $75.
Yeezy 450
In March 2021, the Adidas and Yeezy partnership released the Yeezy 450, with its first color scheme known as “Cloud White.” The partners then followed this up by releasing the color scheme dubbed “Dark Slate.” Yeezy 450 retailed at $200.
Other Yeezy Footwear Styles
Away from the partnership with Adidas, Yeezy on its own has designed other footwear styles, including boots, heels, and the odd offshoot sneaker as well.
Summing the History of Yeezy
Yeezy is a globally renowned brand that is setting the pace in the fashion world. It’s a manifestation of and nod to Kanye West’s taste in fashion, named after the artist himself. Yeezy has seen the performer and entrepreneur become one of the world’s most powerful fashion icons of today.
Adidas Yeezy refers to a fashion partnership between American rapper, designer, entrepreneur, and TV personality Kanye West and Adidas, the renowned German sportswear giant. The collaboration has become popular for its top-of-the-range limited edition versions and general releases of the Yeezy Boost line of sneakers.
This partnership has also produced track pants, jeans, shirts, slides, socks, slippers, and women’s shoes. The first model of sneakers (Yeezy Boost 750) was introduced in February 2015.
Adidas Yeezy sneakers are the attainment of West’s goal to design iconic footwear. Ever since he started out as a nondescript producer working wherever he could, West has now carved a very nice niche for himself both in the music and fashion business.
