Plot Twist: Kanye’s Adidas Collection Prices Are Shockingly High

In the three weeks since Kanye West unleashed his Adidas Originals collection upon the world, the clothes' merits have been debated at length. One detail that hasn't been revealed until now are the collection's prices. Those were released yesterday, and are staggeringly high. High Snobiety reports that so-called "entry-level" Yeezy pieces, such as hoodies and sweatshirts, will start around $420. Knitwear (like the much-discussed holey sweaters) will range from about $860 to $1,600. Outerwear will be even dearer, starting around $1,700 and topping out at $3,800. Footwear will range from $200 for sneakers to nearly $500 for West's version of a duck boot. High Snobiety justifies the prices by citing the "absolutely top-notch quality" of the collection's fabrics and leather, and says the pieces will be made at "some of the world’s best factories."  The prices don't quite reach those at the most expensive luxury houses, but they are firmly in the "aspirational" category (which, loosely translated, means unaffordable for almost everyone you know). Perhaps the inspiration is Alexander Wang, another streetwear and sportswear-influenced designer whose cult-favorite accessories are mostly in the three-digit price range, and who pioneered the "entry-level luxury" pricing strategy.  In the end, the way you feel about these prices will likely depend on what your capital gains look like this year, and how badly you want to look like a Fame cast member. (High Snobiety)