Christie’s launches ‘Department X’ as collectible sneakers and street-wear boom

Christie’s launches ‘Department X’ as collectible sneakers and street-wear boom

Christie's is launching a new department to capitalize on the booming market for collectible sneakers, streetwear and sports history. The auction house on Monday announced its Department X, giving Air Jordans and Supreme skate decks their own category, alongside Impressionist & Modern Art and Old Masters. The move is the latest sign that a wave of younger collectors are redefining the collectibles world. "When looking at the auction world and the way collectors are evolving and the new collectors coming into the marketplace, we felt this is a strong a robust marketplace," said Caitlin Donovan, Christie's head of Handbags, Streetwear and Sneakers, who will head Department X. "It's only going to get stronger and that's why we felt it was time to dive headfirst into this new market." Department X will sell rare collectibles across music, fashion, art and sports history, but sneakers and streetwear will be among its biggest categories. It will hold online auctions, with live previews in New York, and private selling exhibitions throughout the year. Sneakers and sports collectibles have exploded in popularity and value in recent years. In June, Christie's held a "Six Rings − Legacy of the GOAT" sale dedicated to basketball legend Michael