Amy Pateman explores the new collaboration from the sportswear giant.
For the new adidas Spezial pre-spring 23 collection, the brand ventured out into the great outdoors to explore functionality, style and timelessness. The launch of the campaign sees Icelandic filmmaker and producer Fridrik Thor Fridriksson take us on an unexpected journey into the celestial wilds of Iceland. Celebrating the eternal and awe-inspiring connection between humans and nature, the evocative visuals are fronted by Stephen Graham — one of Britain’s finest actors and a supporter of adidas Spezial since its inception.
Comprising six unique silhouettes, the footwear allows us to reminisce on past genius. Among them, the Hochelaga SPZL makes its comeback. Inspired by the vintage adidas Montreal, the shoe serves a nostalgic navy suede paired with yellow stripes. Accompanying the reissue is the Hochelaga Super, which features a white leather construction with navy and red ‘edged’ stripes (a detail that is alike to many mid-to-late 80s releases).
Similarly, the Hartness SPZL takes its inspiration from 1980s runners, arriving in a triple black colorway with an aditex membrane. While the Arkesden SPZL combines a classic Campus tooling with an upper pattern rooted in the iconic Lacombe SPZL.
adidas may well be legendary when it comes to footwear, but the picture wouldn’t be complete without apparel and accessories. The new collection also features a variety of highly crafted looks with a strong focus on recycled materials and fabrics. Headlining the story are two distinct outerwear pieces: the Feniscowles and Kearsley jackets. Inspired by designs from past collections, each one takes their place as updates on two of Spezial’s most iconic looks – the Wardour jacket and Lammack Parka.
In quintessentially Spezial fashion, the collection also plays host to an elevated tracksuit: the Tockholes TTand TP. Then there’s the selection of T-Shirts and polos to add some icing on the cake. The cherry on top comes with the return of longtime collaborator and heralded music photographer Kevin Cummins behind the lens for the film stills, who also captured Stephen Graham for the line’s first ever season.
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