Sneakerheads have been waiting all summer since the first rumors leaked online last June of an upcoming Billie Eilish x Nike Air Jordan sneaker collaboration.
After a long list of partnerships with fashion brands such as Uniqlo, H&M, and Urban Outfitters, the Grammy Award-winning artist has finally released, not one, but two new Nike Air Jordan sneaker models named after her: Billie Eilish X Air Jordan 1 KO and Billie Eilish x Air Jordan 15.
The artist behind Ocean's Eyes is one of many celebrities teaming up with designer footwear manufacturers during the past decade; in fact, you might not be famous enough if you haven't released your own line of sports shoes yet.
But among all celebrity collaborations with sneaker makes, which have proved the most successful?
eBay has analyzed 200 of the most iconic celebrity sneaker collaborations with well-known public figures such as Michael Jordan, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Rihanna.
See Also: Kobe Bryant Auction Package Includes Signed Hublot, Nike Sneakers and NFT Artwork
Keep reading to find out which collabs are most popular amongst the public, how much a pair sells for on average and how high some of the winning bids are for customers to get their hands on the most desired pairs.
Michael Jordan isn’t just known for his impressive sports career in the NBA, he’s also grown into a thriving businessman.
In addition to writing books, becoming chairman of the NBA, and starring in a number of films including the 1996 comedy, Space Jam, the former athlete has established himself in the world of footwear.
With 35 different models released since 1985, Michael Jordan unsurprisingly comes out on top as the celebrity with the most successful and iconic sneaker collaboration.
Starting with the Nike Air Jordan 1 “Notorious” sneaker, the celeb has continued to launch different versions of this footwear for the past 35 years.
Air Jordan’s have grown to become an immensely popular choice of footwear, both in stores and through third-party resellers.
In the analysis, the vastly popular Air Jordan dominates the top 10 and 20 lists of highest sold sneaker collaborations, with Kanye West’s Yeezy 2 being the only other sneaker to make the top 10 of most sold sneaker collaborations, placing in second.
The top model of Michael Jordan sneakers arises from the original Air Jordan 1.
Whilst their average price is $210, some sneaker fans have put down a whopping $10,000 for a pair, which is nearly 50 times the original cost.
The second most sold pair of Michael Jordan footwear is the Air Jordan 11, with an average price tag of $232. However, many bidders go above and beyond that figure for just one pair. The highest price paid for the Air Jordan 11 ran up to a staggering $6,160.
Following in at third is the Air Jordan 4. Averagely priced at $235, one of these pairs has sold under the digital hammer for up to $9,999.
Yup, you heard us. Almost 10 thousand dollars for a pair of sneakers trademarked by the basketball legend.
Whilst the sales results show that Michael Jordan has dominated the realm of footwear for decades, there are other celebrities that have successfully launched their own sneaker models.
Here is a list of celebrity sneaker collaborations that also rank in the top 25 most sold celebrity sneakers on eBay.
American Rapper, Kanye West, has gained both fame and notoriety for multiple reasons—a musical career that has defined our cultural zeitgeist, long-time marriage to Kim Kardashian, stealing Beck’s Grammy Award in 2015, and attempting to run for President of the United States in 2024. God help us if that happens.
But above all else, Kanye is best known for taking the world of footwear by storm.
Since Nike launched the first model of Yeezy twelve years ago, this particular line of sneakers (currently produced by Adidas) has gained a cult-like following that is unstoppable.
His Nike Air Yeezy 2 has become the second most sold celebrity sneaker at eBay.
For those lucky enough to have their hands on a pair in official sales, Yeezys can be bought for a humble price of $140, a reasonable price for a high-quality pair of shoes.
However, increasing demand and low supply caused sneaker collectors to pay as much as $14,000 in eBay resales, thus becoming the highest amount paid for any celebrity sneaker on the site, ever.
Staggering prices for Kanye’s Yeezy collection come as no surprise, with a pair designed and worn by Kanye himself going up for auction on Sotheby´s, with an estimated selling price of $1,000,000.
The Nike Air Jordan 1 comes in second for their resale price at $10,000, which is still $4,000 less than Kanye’s Yeezy 2.
An international sensation since the ripe age of 16, Rihanna continues to slay in every aspect of her career.
Aside from being one of the most famous singers in the world, Rihanna launched one of the most successful sneaker collabs to date.
In 2014, the Barbados singer became the Creative Director at Puma and immediately established herself in the world of footwear.
Puma’s celeb collabs with well-known names such as Kylie Jenner and Rihanna, herself, saw a sales increase of 7.3% for the brand.
Rihanna’s third release of the Fenty x Puma creepers in 2016 was sold out in 35 minutes.
Trying to get your hands on these creepers on a resale platform sees the price tag increase from $140 to $349, as well as the Rihanna x Puma Fenty Cleated Creepers from the same collection, increasing from $69 originally to $259.
The American-born rapper, probably most known for his song “Happy”, partnered with Adidas on a range of sneakers in 2014.
Whilst most other celebrity collaborations with brands didn’t have as much of a political or social motive, the drive behind Pharrell’s own line of shoes named the “Human Race Collection” are based on his own vision in an effort to connect people, spread love and passion whilst celebrating diversity.
Although Adidas Pharrell Williams Tennis HU shoes and Adidas Superstar Pharrell Williams sneakers were released some years ago, they still remain popular.
These retail for $92 and $102 respectively, with exclusive pairs having raised $661 and $393 winning bids on eBay.
Pharrell continues to design and launch sneakers under this line with his ‘Barefoot’ model being the latest yet.
Michael Jordan may dominate footwear collabs with basketball players, but Stephen Curry is right up there with him.
Whilst first having signed with Nike, the Golden State Warriors player ultimately chose a partnership with Under Armour. Having brought the Curry line to the market, he is now considered the brand’s “face of the footwear line.”
With the Curry 4 being one of the most sought-after sneakers in the world of resales today and an original price tag of $170, this model has raised bids on eBay as high as $1,499 per pair.
The next iconic sneaker collab to watch is Billie Eilish x Nike Air Jordan where two sneaker styles have just been launched on September 30th.
Made 100% vegan and crafted with 20% recycled materials, Billie has brought the world´s sneakerheads yet another pair of shoes to obsess about.
Photography by: Courtesy Marina Plummer, Abby Parr, Pierre Su, Harry Aaron, Taylor Hill, Streeter Lecka, Johnny Lewish, Edward Bertholet
