In an era where the lines between streetwear and luxury have officially blurred, Christie’s launches Department X, a new focus dedicated to the auction and private sale of sneakers, streetwear, and sports collectibles – and it has arrived at the perfect time.
There’s no doubt that reselling culture has been having a moment for years. Although the flipping of streetwear staples such as sneakers has been taking place since the 90s, the fascination around owning pieces from the past is gaining traction.
When looking at the numbers, the resale sneaker market itself has surpassed $6 billion and sources say that the U.S. secondhand market is expected to more than double by 2026, reaching $82 billion. Needless to say, the fever for streetwear grails isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
But, of course, some relics are more coveted than others. Enter: Department X. Christie’s new team opens up the world of auctioning to a new generation by building upon the company’s strong worldwide presence to source, curate, and sell the best in the industry.
Let’s not forget some of Christie’s most iconic moments thus far. “Six Rings – Legacy of the GOAT”, featured rare Michael Jordan sneakers and collectibles including a pair of original 1985 Air Jordan 1 Chicago, and “Behind the Box”, featured some of the most prolific and one-of-a-kind pieces from the iconic lifestyle brand Supreme.
To mark the launch, Christie’s will present a private selling exhibition of two rare pairs of sneakers titled, “Ye Walks” focusing on Kanye West’s impact on the landscape of design and sports iconography. The inaugural line features Ye’s Grammy-worn Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype, which he wore during his 2008 performance of “Hey Mama” and “Stronger”, as well as the unreleased Nike Air Jordan VI Donda.
Department X marks an exciting time for serious collectors and streetwear enthusiasts alike. When industry legends like Christie’s take an interest in a previously untapped category such as streetwear, we give a larger voice to generational movements and continue to shape and redefine constructs surrounding the luxury industry.
Scroll to check out Highsnobiety x Christie’s Department X collection.
