adidas having already collaborated with designer heavyweights such as Jeremy Scott, Raf Simons + Stella McCartney (though more on the clothing end), can now add Rick Owens to the list. The single season capsule collection by Owens will include kicks for both men + women. With the designer being such a fitness freak (just look at those arms), you might say it was just a matter of time. The designer told WWD, while on the phone from a beach on the Venice Lido, ‘I work out like a fiend but I hate, hate, hate cardio. I realized I’m in my fifties now and I need to do something for my heart and lungs. So, I’ve got to start running.’ Known for his basketball-style high-tops (see above), which have gained a cult following among Owens die-hards, he knew he needed something a bit more practical adding, ‘I thought to myself, ‘What shoes am I going to wear running?’ I can’t wear my big chunky basketball shoes — I’d look like a dinosaur running through the Tuileries.’ So in needing something more functional, earlier this year, he approached adidas, whom previously approached him.
There will be six styles for men + four for women, based on a single silhouette, in a range of materials and colors. The colors will range from black, white, gray, pearl, bone + occasionally yellow, on some of the women’s styles. Various combinations of materials will include leather, suede, nylon + canvas, with the subtle hint of the iconic adidas three-stripe logo brilliantly represented by perforations.
Although set to premiere June 27th, at Rick Owens men’s spring show in Paris, unfortunately, any images of the kicks are top secret. The adidas by Rick Owens kicks are due to drop in December at Rick Owens stores + premium specialty fashion retailers, for $400 to $500.
As to why Owens decided on adidas + not another brand, he said, ‘Adidas is a classic brand and it reminds me of Eighties hip-hop. They just have an authentic, old-school realness that appeals to me.’
(via WWD)