Solebox Berlin

Linked thematically but often totally different in their silhouettes, shapes and purpose, during the ’70s and ’80s, adidas managed to represent for any key city you care to name on a round-the-world naming mission of sorts. The different waves, from defiantly European, low-slung creations, to chunkier, technical North American drops travelled even further afield over two decades. 

Bodega Boston Super

For winter 2009, the ‘Your City’ Consortium collection from adidas Originals is unique in its offering. Whereas previous collaborative projects might focus on a single shoe, here’s twelve different models, handed to twelve key Consortium retailers, on an appropriately worldwide scale. That means a unique set of makeups on a brace of shoes that transcend time periods and technologies, from the super simple, to the incredibly detailed, set to drop in three waves.

UNDFTD LA Trainer

 
‘Your City’ encapsulates leisure, running and training designs within one loose brief -  represent for your city using the model that bears it’s name. Nothing fuels creativity like local pride. The sole stipulation was to incorporate at least one colour from the original makeup of the shoe into your reworking to complement the source material.

SoleService Oslo

Creative freedom paid off, as crews from Oslo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, Milan, London, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Toronto and Tokyo re-envisioned these legendary creations, on the shoe that carries their locale, often embellishing their favourite elements, occasionally stripping them down, but always in the knowledge that they’re reworking some truly sacred sneakers.

Y-3 Exclusive: A limited edition shoe and artwork by urban artist MOMO, 10 pairs are exclusively available from Otober 5th, 2009 at No74 for 300€.

In collaboration with Y-3, Brooklyn artist MOMO has put his inimitable stamp on the Hayworth High sneaker in a limited edition number of only 350. MOMO, known for his conceptual collage work and urban intervention projects in places as far-flung as Manhattan, Seoul, and Madrid, dreamed up three different shoe designs that highlight his vivid, geometric style.

Building on that style, MOMO has also created 5 shapes, contained in this envelope, exclusively for Y-3. These unique forms, in the artist’s favorite colors, are limited edition art works that can be hung easily on a nail. To alter the artwork, simply shuffle the order of the shapes to create dynamic combinations. Each shape has one colored side and one white side, allowing for a tremendous variety of possibilities. MOMO’S intent is for the artwork to provide elements of play and surprise. Enjoy.

Clean, classy and canvas. Wood Wood adopted this feel for their version of the Rod Laver. With the heel tab and lining in the softest off-white leather and 3 sets metal tip laces, makes this a great easy to wear every day shoe that work with every think in your wardrobe.

Solebox brings a completely unique twist to there version, bring this classic court shoe a rugged hikeing boot feel with a brushed suede upper and loop eyelet, but mixed the a mesh tongue, suede lining and finish of with reflective heel tab and strip.

D-Mop drops a super shiny sliver Rod Laver topped of with a single swarovski crystal at the top of the outer giving this a supper clean supper flashy look. Embroided handshake logo and trefoil along with the simple plan embossed name plate on the heel brings a balance between the flashy sliver and the simplistic minamoil details to a nice conclusion.

ROD LAVER GRASS COURT – Bring the Rod Laver back to it’s truest form, giving it a slighty aged look of a shoe you found dead stock from the early 70s with it’s nylon mesh upper and of white leather toebox, tongue lining and eyestay and clean white eyelets makes look and feel like an original 70s court classic..

Expect the 2nd drop of Rod Lavers on Saturday, September 19th!

The third and final drop of the 3Way Consortium project from adidas Originals sees the series heading East for a work around between some of the most respected sneaker retailers and influencers of the region.

With the choice of working on the 5 models together in whatever manner they chose Acu, Crooked Tongues (London based but with strong ties to Thailand), D-Mop and VA decided to pair up on two shoes each and all collaborate together on the fifth.

FORUM -  This contemporary version is the result of a re-imagining of the classic between Crooked Tongues and VA and highlights everything that made the model great in the first place including the forefoot strap, unique shape of the toe box and webbing on the instep of the midsole.

On top of the traditional elements, the Crooked and VA crews, both fans of the model, had the chance to add improvements, most noticeably a small stud button to help the foot strap from slipping, which is CT branded on the left shoe and VA on the right shoe. Also included are three lace flips, namely, Ice Grey, Electricity and the two colours combined giving enough wearability choices to keep even the most jaded fan happy.

Featuring a combination leather upper in an Ice Grey colourway with electric Lime Green 3-Stripes, Trefoil and contrast stitching on the outsole, the shoe looks like being one of the highlights of the upcoming season and is certainly one of the more memorable takes on the Forum in some time.

NIZZA – This re-working saw Crooked Tongues and D-Mop working together and looking to stress the classic, everyday qualities of the shoe and demonstrate that it is a model that doesn’t need to be box fresh for it to just work.

Featuring a simple white canvas upper and rubber toecap with a bluebird contrast evident in the 3-Stripes, foxing and Trefoil on the tongue, the version is innocuous enough until you get close enough to notice the slightly pre-stressed effect that is used on the canvas upper, namely, some wearing and faux dirt stains which lend to the overall vintage feel of the shoes.

Finished with Trefoil and Nizza branding on the heel outsole and an embroidered, vintage styled Trefoil on the tongue, this sought after model is back, and looking like it was beamed straight off a ‘ballers feet from the 70s.

SAMBA - The version that Acu and VA have produced flips this notion on its head and comes correct with a new take on the iconic model, ostensibly for the badminton courts, the Samba Shuttlecock.

Keeping the shape of the original silhouette, the Samba Shuttlecock takes the upper and gives it a serious make over with a combination of clear plastic and suede teal coming together with contrasting purple, yellow and lime 3-Stripes. The clear theme is carried through on the ice outsole that works nicely with the clear and clean elements found on the upper.

The Trefoil is also given the ‘Shuttlecock’ makeover with the 3 leaves being swapped out for 3 shuttlecock feathers in a red blue and yellow on the tongue with ‘Shuttlecock Samba’ positioned directly underneath. The new make-up for the Trefoil is also executed on the heel tab while the shoe is subtly Consortium branded with a customised top lace eyelet.

STAN SMITH - This version sees collaboration between Asian heavyweights Acu and D-Mop that directly reflects the artistic heritage of original Oriental porcelain designs. It sounds a little heavy for a sneaker concept, but the proof is in the pudding and their takedown of a traditional Chinese ‘blue and white wares’ technique is both eye catching and effective.

The upper cleanly contrasts between the smooth leather that carries the motif of the blossoms and bird of prey while the toe box and tongue are constructed from a premium quality nubuck.
The famous image of Stan Smith on the tongue is replaced with the Acu and D-Mop logos while a gold trim on the lining of the inner and gold Consortium branded eyelet lend the takedown a touch of class.

Finished with a standout white Trefoil and ‘Stan Smith’ print on the heel tab, Kenji characters running down the heel and contrast stitching on the midsole, this take on the tennis classic is a straight up neck breaker

adidas SLVR key item ‘one piece tee’ is being updated for A/W 09 in an unlimited edition: The one piece tee ‘unlimited edition’.

The one piece tee ‘unlimited edition’ is cut randomly out of one large panel of fabric. The fabric sheet has a large ‘This is an unlimited Edition’ graphic print, which creates an unlimited amount of individual t-shirts and different typographic designs.

The cotton tee is made of a minimal stitching around the body. has a single cut neck line, is short sleeved and is available in white and medium grey heather.

Created in a 3 step method, it is much simpler than any other tee on the market. It is unique in its simplicity, yet comfortable and long lasting.

The one piece tee ‘unlimited edition’ is available at No74 at a price point of €59.

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.

adidas SLVR stands for a timeless and considered design; one that conveys a minimalist character, yet is fresh and progressive.

adidas Originals by Originals attracts show pieces from successful collaborations with Jeremy Scott, Kazuki and Alyasha.

No74 re-opens with a completely new look featuring an exclusive interior design by Berlin based artists Greige.de and ErenlerBauer.com.

For the first time adidas collections such as Y-3 in cooperation with Yohji Yamamoto, Originals designed by Jeremy Scott and Kazuki as well as the newly launched adidas SLVR Label are available under one roof in Germany. All collection pieces are carefully selected to signify a close connection to Berlin’s and today’s global popular culture.

From August 2009, the adidas by Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2009-10 collection will be on hand at No74.