Sneakers

Take a look at the first drop from the adidas Originals x SPEZIAL AW17 collection

Bringing the spirit of the Three Stripes archives for the highly-anticipated collection.

Unmistakably adidas, the latest adidas Originals x SPEZIAL collection takes the best of the Three Stripes heritage and recreates it from a clean and contemporary perspective.

Acting as a conduit to present a timeline of some the brand's defining moment, the Autumn/Winter 2017 collection curated by Gary Aspden takes in outerwear and athleisure apparel, as well as a slew of head-turning footwear, all of which is distinctively SPZL.

The apparel from the collection is an ode to Aspden's many influences, in and out of the annals of adidas history. Inspired by the Ardwick SPZL from the very first collection, the Ardwick Anorak encapsulates the SPZL ethos perfectly. Constructed with water-resistant polyester with Climastorm technology in a craft green, the sturdy outdoor piece bears functionality down to its core, being at home on the peaks of the Pennines as is on the Terraces.

Likewise, the Abenstein Jacket goes beyond simply dipping its ribbed cuff into the history books. The reversible archive-inspired piece is rebooted for 2017, lined with Primaloft for supreme insulation and hallmarked with the collections iconic 'Mod Trefoil' insignia to the chest. The Kopelman Vest follows suit, another reversible piece that is lined with duck down and flaunt tailoring influences with welt pocket construction and a sharp, clean silhouette.

This sartorial touch is carried over to one of the collections most recognisable pieces - the Beckenbauer Track Top. The mainstay of any SPZL collection, this season sees the accessible leisure jacket carry elements taken directly from Savile Row tailors, with felt wool panels to the collar and elbow in a contrast red. The collection's other track-ready throw on - the Lapskaus Jacket, is unashamedly drenched in 70's athleisure characteristics, ranging from the minimalist branding to the narrow Three-Stripes taping that features around the high collar and extended front pockets.

The selection of outerwear designs are complemented with a duo of track pants and two simple graphic tees, one bearing the Mod Trefoil branding, while the other features artwork from catalogue ads, the chest graphic reads "Chaussures de loisirs" which means "leisure shoes" in French, a tribute to their heritage with sneakers.

The highlight of many a SPZL collection is the extensive range of footwear. Taking influence from the endless adidas diffusion lines and departments through the decades, each season sees a broad selection of silhouettes than showcases the sportswear giant's rich history, contextualising for the modern palette.

Referencing 'freizeit' designs of the early 80's, the McCarten SPZL is named after avid collector Bobby McCarten, who Apsden used as a library for offhand and obscure trefoil-adorned styles. The leather constructed silhouette features metal branding and eyelets of its 70's predecessors while being updated with a classic gum Gazelle sole unit. Similarly, the Winterhill SPZL, named after a TV mast near Aspden's hometown, takes influence from the 70s - this time the signature shoe of German mountaineer Reinhold Messner. The robust boot features metal branding and D-Ring lacing system, while a contrast red support block to the midsole sees it a successor to the collection's Mountfield series.

Finishing the first drop of neatly is a trio of terrace-appropriate designs that typically take an interest of the finer details to a whole new level. The Spiritus SPZL, a 1:1 recreation of the adidas Spirit - a shoe that was only available in Austria -  is released in two authentic colourways that are finished with the gum sole unit taken from the Romanian Dublin, which features a darker finish than its mainstream contemporaries. This quest for authenticity spills over to the Wensley GT. A predecessor to the Wensley SPZL, the pared-back design is modelled upon a Russian fencing shoe that takes elements from the adidas BW Army, finished with lightweight nylon uppers with nep suede overlays.

You can now register for the opportunity to buy the adidas Originals x SPEZIAL AW17 collection on END. Launches.

writerDavid Dover
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