adidas Consortium: Launch on Saturday, May 16th, 12noon at No74
FORUM EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT No74 IN BERLIN
The second drop of the 3Way Consortium project from adidas Originals brings together 4 of North America’s most respected sneaker retailers and boutiques to tell their own stories on 5 iconic models from adidas. With the choice of working on the 5 models in whatever combination they desired Goodfoot, Huf, DQM and Undefeated representing Canada, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles respectively decided to work together across the Stan Smith, Samba, Superstar, Nizza and the Forum in a true collaborative spirit.
NIZZA HI – Featuring a grey fleece material on the upper sitting on a white midsole with matching grey foxing the entire look of the shoe has a stripped back, minimal aesthetic that perfectly suits the model and the concept. Further detailing includes the Goodfoot, Huf, DQM and Undefeated spartner logo surrounding the Trefoil on the tongue and material eyelets also done in grey.
SUPERSTAR – The royal blue nylonesque upper and matching suede 3-Stripes contrast nicely with the white midsole, shell toe, heel tab and lining. The contrast is furthered reinforced with the royal blue Trefoil sitting on the white heel tab, an effect that works well with the colourway overall.
STAN SMITH – Version that they have produced pays homage to the original with an off-white rough suede upper that has all embellishments including the traditional 3-Stripe perforations removed. The image of Stan Smith on the tongue has been replaced with a visual treatment outlining the logos of the partners in the project around the ever-recognisable Trefoil. Further detailing is present in the metal eyelets that are all silver bar the top eyelet, which is white, and Consortium branded – a nod that is as subtle as the shoe itself.
SAMBA – The upper is a solid black textile material with the 3-Stripes removed, which when straddling the white midsole reinforces the low-slung feel of the silhouette. Branding is minimal over the whole shoe, with the Trefoil on the heel tab also etched in black and the tongue featuring the names of the participating partners circling theTrefoil. The top lace eyelet continues brings home the ‘less is more’ theme with barely noticeable Consortium branding.
No74 Exclusive
FORUM – Taking inspiration from tee and sweatshirt prints that the partners had previously produced the result is a guaranteed neck breaker that shuns subtlety in favour of a more in your face approach. Each collaborator contributed one print and all the combined prints were used to make up the upper of the shoe. DQM contributed the classic pin stripe just above the midsole in a nod to their hometown Yankees, a theme that works nicely flowing into the Huf ‘Gold Chain’ print on the toecap. The Goodfoot contribution with a red African feeling bubble graffiti print that stretches across the heel strap and 3-Stripes melds perfectly with the red and white on black Undefeated ‘U’ that runs along the tongue and under the 3-Stripes.
