adidas Originals has been behind some of the world’s most iconic silhouettes, including the Superstar and the Gazelle, and to celebrate more than 50 years of the iconic Trefoil logo, the sportswear label has launched a new global brand platform.
adidas Originals has been a part of sports, music, skate and fashion culture, withstanding the test of time. To mark its lasting impact, the Trefoil has returned with a new chapter, headlined by three films shot by three creative pioneers and a selection of stills focusing on the timeless characters from the Three Stripes archive – the Superstar, Gazelle and Samba. Each film and set of images spotlights a different silhouette, exploring how the narratives of the Trefoil’s history are interwoven into the iconic styles.
Director and founder of LoveSong production studio Daniel Wolfe, lends his creative eye to the Superstar alongside mentoring the other directors involved with the series. The film depicts the Shelltoe’s ascension from its basketball roots to becoming a Hip Hop staple, adopted as the uniform of rap group Run-D.M.C.
Will Dohrn tells the story of the Gazelle, a sneaker with its roots in athletics that was later adopted by the skate community thanks to a durable suede upper. Dohrn’s storytelling centres around a young protagonist who moves across different adidas eras dressed in archival adidas apparel, meeting skaters Mike Arnold and Miles Silvas along the way.
When it comes to iconic adidas silhouettes, none are as notable as the adidas Samba. Initially crafted for the icy football pitches of Europe and released ahead of the 1950 Brazil World Cup, the sneaker has weaved its way through different style circles before cementing itself as a Three Stripes Staple. Justyna Obasi captures the Samba’s legendary ascension, beginning with the fluid footwork of young soccer players and ending in the many cultural scenes that have made the shoe their own.
The Three Stripes label has infiltrated almost every subculture and attracted a wealth of high-profile fans, from Liam Gallagher, who recently released a collaborative Liam Gallagher x adidas Spezial LG2 SPZL, to Harry Styles, who is regularly spotted in the Gucci x adidas Gazelles, a monogrammed take on the classic sneaker.
adidas’ legacy in footwear is long-lasting, with the brand founded more than 70 years ago. Thanks to a focus on quality sneakers and a subcultural following, the brand has stood the test of time, exemplified by adidas’ celebration of the Trefoil.
More on Culted
See: Stefan Cooke & Jake Burt on the importance of reworking pre-loved Mulberry bags
