THE JOURNAL
The acid-house-inspired, limited-edition footwear that’s twisting our melon, man.
Sportswear and nostalgia feel like two major themes in men’s style at the moment, so, amid the many products and collections we introduce on to MR PORTER every week, the new adidas Spezial launch feels particularly timely. Timely, despite the fact it is a collection that draws heavily on the UK acid-house scene. Designer Mr Gary Aspden was inspired by this year being the 30th anniversary of the second summer of love, and, as the sneaker brand of choice for many 24-hour ravers in the 1980s (and beyond), adidas boasts a clear link to this music subculture.
To produce the four-piece collection, which you can shop on MR PORTER from today, Mr Aspden delved into the adidas archives – both catalogues and the physical archive itself in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria – and drew upon his own memories of wearing sneakers in the 1970s and 1980s, when the trefoil logo was on nearly every foot.
The German brand tells us that the capsule “builds on the narrative of previous collections with a journey of self-discovery and the re-telling of British rave culture”. Mr Aspden meanwhile describes it as a series of new hybrids based on old archive products, tweaked to create something new. Rich sporting heritage fused with pop-culture references for a contemporary collection – with pastel shades, detailed embroidery and classic silhouettes playing major roles.
The Hulton low-tops combine an off-white shell or nylon material with ecru suede and a slightly translucent rubber sole (note the nod to the trefoil on the sizing sticker). The indoor Kreft sneakers – with a breathable mesh lining, suede trim and bouncy gum sole – are inspired by the old Indoor Sport design. And, if you know your stuff, you will note how startlingly similar they are. The Glenbuck, which comes in two colourways, was originally popular in the mid-1980s, especially among clubbers. The Padiham sneakers, named after a small town outside Burnley in Lancashire, are made in suede and leather, with a flocking detail on the famous three stripes and they come in a night navy and mist jade colourway inspired by the acid-house scene.
To support the Spezial launch, adidas has created a short film – which you can watch here – appropriately shot in Ibiza, with a voiceover provided by none other than Bez, a man who can wax lyrical on the late-1980s dance scene better than anyone (even if he might not remember much of it).
Spezial delivery
