You’d be forgiven for being wary of clothing brands collaborating with musicians, since there are very few artists with the fashion chops to pull it off successfully.
But we trust Adidas to pick the musicians who’ll bring something tasty to the table, especially after its success working with Kanye West on the much hyped (and with good reason) Yeezy line. And the German sports giant hasn’t disappointed with this first release from its Originals department’s tie-up with Mr “Happy” himself, Pharrell Williams.
Pharrell certainly has the pedigree (whisper it, probably more than Kanye), having worked as a fashion designer with labels like Billionaire Boys Club, Moncler, Louis Vuitton and G-Star.
This pristine white Hu tennis shoe has a brand new silhouette but pairs it with some of Adidas’s technical features, such as the breathable Primeknit upper for an adaptive, comfortable fit and EVA midsole (although not the Boost sole that’s had a hugely successful running/lifestyle line built around it and can be found on one Yeezy model).
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It’s not all new shapes and 21st-century tech, though. In a classy throwback touch, the two colourways available pay tribute to iconic designs of yesteryear. The green detailing is a homage to the Stan Smith, while the yellow lacing, yellow sole and golden heel tab are hallmarks of the Forest Hill, a 1970s court classic.
Other noteworthy details include laces built into the shoe’s body and a suede tab with the Adidas Originals insignia on the tongue.
Look out for more from the Hu (the first syllable of “human”, if you were wondering, the collaboration launched with the statement “I play for the human race”) line. If its first release is anything to go by, it’ll go from strength to strength.
£94.95, buy on adidas.co.uk/pharrell
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