Month: February 2021

Rising Chinese designer and star of Netflix’s Next In Fashion Angel Chen has teamed up with adidas Originals once again, following on from her inaugural collection of calligraphy and martial arts-themed sneakers with a trio of reinterpreted classics.Kicking things off is Chen’s take on the Superstar 80s. Served in either “Core Black” or “Icey Pink,” the pairs combine a full suede upper with leather detailing the Three Stripes, eyestay placket, heel tab, and interior lining. The sneaker’s quintessential rubber shell toe seamlessly blends into the sole unit, which is where the biggest change to the Superstar 80s can be found.On the sole unit, Chen has tapped into her own classic-futuristic hybrid style, where the midsole now features teeth-like details all around, serving as an exclusive design motif of this collaboration and making them stand out in adidas’ roster of Superstars. Rounding out the Superstar is the adidas Trefoil branding on the heel tab and the embossed license plate on the heel, both appearing in the respective tonal colors.For her SL7600, Chen uses a palette of “Dark Blue/Off White/Cloud White” alongside touches of neon green and icey blue, as well as a big splash of red, to create a bold and very retro pair of sneakers. Arguably the star of the show, the SL7600 is comprised of a knitted base that’s supported with leather and suede overlays, constructing areas such as the eyestay placket and toe box, to the sidewalls and on the heel.This pair is minimally branded, but it’s Chen’s signature toothed detailing that makes this pair undeniably one of hers. It’s rounded off with a BOOST midsole (which can be seen at the rear of the shoe), a nylon tongue, and D-lock lacing.The Angel Chen x adidas Originals Superstar 80s retails for £140 GBP (approx. $195 USD), while the SL7600 costs £220 GBP (approx. $306 USD). All three pairs are due to drop on adidas’ website on February 24. Take a closer look at the pairs above.In case you missed it, check out what happened in the latest issue of Sole Mates.

New Balance’s 327 silhouette has been numerous makeovers already this year. From a patchwork rework last month, to a “Summer Fog” iteration most recently, the sports-inspired silhouette is back again in three vibrant hues.Crafted using a lightweight suede and mesh upper, the 327 has become renowned for its comfortable feel and casual aesthetic. The oversized “N” logo on the sidewall of the sneaker is modern in its design, yet retro in its execution, and sits alongside contrasting suede overlays across the silhouette.Arriving in “Summer Jade’”, “Citrus Punch” and “Cobalt Blue”, the 327’s ’70s-inspired look is completed with a streamlined tongue beneath classic matching laces, which rests atop a nubbed outsole that wraps around the sneaker, creeping into the upper.Available from the New Balance webstore now, each 327 retails at £80 (approximately $111 USD).In other sneaker news, adidas Football has unveiled its new COPA SENSE boot, boasting some of the brand’s most forward-thinking technologies.

After officially unveiling its PREDATOR FREAK+ boot last month, adidas Football returns its latest updated classic silhouette in the form of the COPA SENSE.The latest in a long line of boots from the COPA franchise, the SENSE boasts a host of new brand innovations — like SENSEPODS, TOUCHPODS and SOFTSTUDS — all of which have been designed to deliver the ultimate on-pitch feel.In a bid to create a boot that maximises its wearer’s potential, the design team mapped a variety of different sole shapes to understand where the foot connected most with the ball. This led to the creation of precisely-placed SENSEPODS, a new feature aimed to minimize and eliminate the negative space found around the ankle and achilles.Impact-absorbing TOUCHPODS also make a debut and can be found on both the medial and lateral sides of the boot, while SOFTSTUDS have been injected with a softer material to bend upon impact with the ball.In a bid to remain in-keeping with the COPA’s archetypal classic and traditional look, adidas has opted for an all-over “Core Black” colorway, atop a luxurious gold outsole. The upper features a FUSIONSKIN material for extra support, while PRIMEKINT ensures flexibility and additional protection too.The adidas COPA SENSE is available to pre-order today from the brand’s online webstore, retailing at €280 (approximately $340 USD).In other news, Lionel Messi’s record-breaking adidas boots are set to be sold at auction.