Kanye West is at it again, making waves in the fashion industry with his latest venture – the Adidas Yeezy ‘Sample Lab’ set to open in Cody, Wyoming. This exciting new project will be housed in an expansive 11,300 square-foot warehouse, along with an additional 1,056 square-foot space. The facility is expected to bring job opportunities to the area, with plans to hire between ten to twenty employees who will focus solely on creating innovative Yeezy footwear designs. Speculations suggest that the lab will be up and running by late January, adding to the anticipation surrounding the launch.
West’s interest in Wyoming is not new, as he made headlines earlier this year with the purchase of two ranches in the state. In a bold move, he announced that the Yeezy headquarters would be moving from Calabasas, California to Cody, signaling a significant shift in focus for the brand. With around 30 employees already working from one of his ranches in Wyoming, West seems determined to establish a strong presence in the state.
Cody, Wyoming, named after the iconic Buffalo Bill, is a charming town with a population of around 10,000 residents, known for its tourism. West’s decision to invest in Wyoming aligns well with his vision for domestic production. In a recent interview, he expressed his desire to bring Yeezy footwear production back to the United States, a move that could potentially impact the prices of Yeezy products. By shifting production domestically, West aims to follow in the footsteps of brands like New Balance, known for their commitment to manufacturing products on American soil.
The unveiling of the Yeezy ‘Sample Lab’ comes amidst reports of a slight decline in Yeezy sales for Adidas in November. While the third-quarter sales for the sportswear company showed an overall increase, Yeezy footwear sales saw only a modest rise of 1%. Adidas’ CEO, Kasper Rorsted, attributed this to a deliberate strategy of limiting supplies to maintain the exclusivity of Yeezy products in the market.
As West continues to expand his business ventures and push for domestic production, the establishment of the Yeezy ‘Sample Lab’ in Wyoming represents another bold step in shaping the future of the Yeezy brand. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting project unfolds.
For more information visit the official Adidas Yeezy website here and follow Kanye West on Instagram here.
