Adidas workers rapidly found that Mr. West was filled with concepts. In addition they study that he does not act in the identical method as different individuals they’ve encountered.

He could be enthusiastic to the purpose of making chaos. Earlier, he made a shock look at Adidas’ New York places of work with Ms. Kardashian and a stitching machine price tens of 1000’s of {dollars}. It was so disruptive that he was despatched to a studio on the opposite facet of city. As soon as immersed in design work, he turns into so obsessive about each element that it turns into tough to get something completed.

When he will get annoyed, he will get offended rapidly. In February 2015, with the deadline for the primary Yeezy style present approaching, he used sexually specific language to lash out at Rachel Muscat — a uncommon feminine supervisor in a male-dominated business — and different Adidas workers . Some complained to Adidas executives concerning the abuse, in line with a number of members of the crew. (Like different present and former Adidas and West workers interviewed for this text, they spoke solely on the situation of anonymity as a result of they’re sure by nondisclosure agreements.)

Nevertheless, consideration quickly turned to the style present, the place the footwear sparked an enormous response. Mr. West, Travis Scott and different rappers wore the brand new Yeezy footwear throughout performances that evening, a preview of what promotions the artist and the large names round him could be planning for Adidas.

Over the subsequent few months, the footwear have been launched in restricted portions and offered out inside hours, inflicting servers to crash and costs on resale websites to skyrocket. They entice sneakerheads, fashionistas and even athletes who’ve endorsement offers with Adidas opponents.

First, the suede high-top; Coconut Increase 350 — A classy sneaker impressed by the Nike Roshe Run, nicknamed the “Roshe Killer” inside Adidas. It has a flat entrance as a substitute of the usual curled-toe footwear that Mr. West despises. It places a Yeezy twist on Adidas innovation: the only real options Increase foam, a brand new cushioning expertise, and the higher contains a patterned knit cloth. This shoe shouldn’t be appropriate for operating or sports activities, but it surely goes nicely with the athleisure clothes that’s on pattern.

“He challenges the whole lot, however the way in which he places his coronary heart into it, you see the outcomes,” stated Nic Galway, a high designer at Adidas. Stated in a 2015 interview.

That 12 months, 350 shoe fashions received high honors on the business’s annual awards ceremony, often called the “Oscars of the Footwear Business.”

Mr. West, who took the stage with Mr. Wexler, Ms. Muscat and senior Adidas government Arthur Holder, admitted he might be a tough associate. “It is so cool to be with the three individuals I’ve screamed on the most up to now 12 months,” he stated with a smile.

He later added, his tone altering, “Jon principally saved my life.”