A collaboration announced a few weeks ago, luxury fashion brand Prada has officially launched the first by-product of their partnership with adidas as a homage to the German sportswear brand.
The first drop features a version of the Adidas Original shoe — a sneaker which has been a staple of the brand since its inceptions in 1969, is re-introduced with luxury through Prada’s full-grain leather for its upper, Adidas signature rubber shell toe and triple-stripe heel alongside Prada’s logotype. The shoe is aptly paired with a version of Prada’s bawling bag which has been modified to echo the original bowling bag and give hints towards the Adidas gym bag as it’s executed in superior calf leather with a sports nylon strap.
The mini collection will hit Prada stores on December 4th and will be offered in a total of only 700 pieces worldwide, both male and female. Each piece has also been numbered with the unique serial to number of its production order.
Earlier this year adidas original joined forces with Italian brand Fiorucci for the release of a collaborative capsule collection.
A pairing that worked so well that they had to do it twice. This month the brands announced the release of a second collection perfectly tailored for the waves of the summer. The campaign features a bevy of girls decked out bright coloured swimwear, jackets, shorts, sandals and sneakers. Each of the collection’s pieces combines the sporty aesthetic of Adidas original with the bold graphics and identity of Fiorucci. The collection is now available on Fiorucci.
“This is a challenge to where fashion is currently—a new feminine ideal,” says Kanye West, as his first adidas Originals collection – Yeezy Season 1 – launches around the world on 29th October.
Comprised of both voluminous and second-skin like proportions – the former generally on top, and the latter below – West reiterates the practicality he had in mind with these pieces, describing the easily interchangeable capsule collection as “solutions-based” and akin to Lego. Ultimately, he has, quite literally, aimed to create a series of uniform building blocks, from which his customers can construct a daily identity. “I don’t want the clothes to be the life,” he stresses. “I want the clothes to help the life.”
So what of the garments themselves? They are undoubtedly useful, bar perhaps the aforementioned body-suits, which although editorially striking, may be a little more tricksy to work into any typical circumstance that initially springs to mind. The inky, generously hooded shearling parkas are instantly desirable, as are the gnarled army surplus knits and cotton tanks in that perfect shade of smokey anthracite. But it’s the unisex, outsized sweaters, beautifully constructed yet rough around the edges, that you could really see yourself wearing forever.
West has been clever. He has put just enough of himself into this collaboration – hero pieces such as the camo separates and drop shouldered bomber jackets smack of recognition with “West: the brand” – to make it aspirational, yet left the collection canvas-like in it’s quality, so that customers can see themselves in it too, without having to try too hard.
The decision to have a mass release of the collaboration, as opposed to a staggered global drop seems an obvious one, especially when you consider the transient purposes West had in mind when designing. “I wanted something that felt like New York or Paris or Tokyo or Santa Barbara or Chicago—a worldliness and an ease.”
Rounding off the collection are a number of new footwear releases, the highly anticipated Yeezy Boosts 750 and 350 as well as the Yeezy 950 boots for men and platform snow boots for women. Roll on winter.
adidas Originals by Kanye West – Yeezy Season 1 is in stores now. Prices start from $130.
Mary Katrantzou has gone from strength to strength since her arrival on the fashion scene just a few short years ago, and her latest collaboration with sports favourites Adidas is no exception.
Hitting stores November 15th, the collection sees apparel and footwear transformed by abstract florals, stripes and laces. The inspiration behind the zip-up dresses, neoprene tops and kaleidoscopic footwear was feminine strength at every age.
‘This collection has encouraged me to push the boundaries of what is possible technically,’ says Katrantzou, ‘That’s something I will incorporate into future collections.’
Opening Ceremony and adidas Originals are on the B of the Bang with their new collection. No doubt about it, their collaborative ode to urban sportswear is fleet of foot. Launching as the Olympics really start to loom, adidas’ classic silhouettes have been souped-up with OC’s retail philosophy.
Taking their cues from cycling and swimwear, these are off the track pieces that are rich in print, colour and attitude. Comprised of 70 separates and 20 footwear pieces, floral and bandana prints and Nineties splatter-paint motifs dominate. Not so much Olympic cyclist than BMX bandit and not so much 100m butterfly than city Lido, there are too many must-haves for our summer. Be sure to accessorize with goggles.
adidas Originals by Opening Ceremony capsule collection is available globally in July and August 2012.
Twitter
Tumblr
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
