Gallery: Exclusive Sketches And Photos of the Nike Air Yeezy II

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The way things are shaping up, by the time it releases in June, the Nike Air Yeezy II might be the most anticipated sneaker drop in history. Here at Complex, we got to get up close and personal with the Platinum/Wolf Grey edition for our April/May 10th Anniversary issue. You'll want to pick that up regardless — but right here we have Exclusive Sketches And Photos of the Nike Air Yeezy II along with more info about the design process straight from the source. Hit the gallery, and click on the magnifying glass to go big.

When Nike released the Air Yeezy in April 2009, Kanye West became the first non-athlete to get a signature shoe from the Swoosh. The shoe was a massive success. Now it's time to meet the much-anticipated sequel.

The design process started during the recording of Kanye's Grammy-winning album My Beatiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The Nike Air Yeezy II features several upgrades and design changes. Some of the essential components remain the same — the vintage Tinker Hatfield-designed midsole and outsole, Velcro strap, and glow-in-the-dark sole are still there — otherwise this is a whole new beast.

The high-top silhouette has been trimmed down to a mid-cut sneaker. It still looks like an athletic shoe hybrid, but with several unexpected design elements. Hand-etched leather made to look like anaconda skin and a molded, spine-like ridge down the back give the shoe an animalistic quality. Inspired by ancient Egypt, the hieroglyphics concealed beneath the Velcro and the bust of the deity Horus on the tongue add to the mystical quality of the shoe which Nike says is "viewed via a time traveling futuristic vision." The result riffs on classic Nike innovations, while taking sneaker design a step in a new direction.

Look for the Air Yeezy II, shown in Platinum, to drop in June for $245.

TONGUE

COMPLEX SAYS: The tongue depicts Horus—the falcon-headed ancient Egyptian deity—to represent victory, protection and power. A leather lace lock and solid metal lace tips provide finishing touches on the look of handcrafted luxury.

STRAP

COMPLEX SAYS: Horus appears again on the inside of the Velcro strap with hieroglyphics that spell out "YZY." 

SOLE

COMPLEX SAYS: This time Nike went with the Air Tech Challenge II tennis shoe sole unit originally designed by Tinker Hatfield.

GLOW

COMPLEX SAYS: The glow-in-the-dark sole from the first Yeezy is back and brighter than ever.

COMPLEX SAYS: The initial concept was to keep the toe of the shoe very clean so it was slim to the foot to give a tailored fit.

COMPLEX SAYS: This early design sketch had a Foamposite-style bootie to protect the foot and hold it in place.

COMPLEX SAYS: Nike and Kanye wanted the shoe to look like something a warrior from the future would wear.