Ever since they first teamed up in 2013 adidas and esteemed Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons have been hellbent on pushing the boundaries when it comes to both classic and contemporary footwear silhouettes. The Raf Simons Stan Smith has become a staple of the adidas footwear lineup.
Whether it’s collaborating on the trend-setting, fore father of chunky sneakers Ozweego or infusing the worlds of runway and sportswear with stylistic reinvention, the pair have done so with an emphasis on preserving the intrinsic qualities of each shoe they turn their attention to, keeping unique characteristics and historical relevancy high on the agenda amid a multi influenced design process.
No stranger to a Stan Smith, Raf Simons has not only been spotted on numerous occasions donning the unmistakable tennis shoes but once again puts to work the understated ‘70s classic for the latest evolutionary step in the partnerships creative endeavours. Utilizing an innovative application and distinctive finish to unconventionally transport several archival styles including the Micropacer, Torsion Conquest Super and the L.A. Trainer, back into modern day rotations.
Taking inspiration from the French painting technique known as Trompe-l’oeil, French for ‘deceive the eye’ each vintage trainer is photographed, 3D mapped and subsequently printed onto its own individual Stan Smith. Acting as a blank canvas, the trainers minimal detailing and clean lines provide the perfect opportunity for distinguishing features and authentic worn in markings – such as stains and exposed glue – to be showcased to full optical illusion inducing effect.
The result is a product that both blends cross generational styles and functional purpose whilst simultaneously paying homage to adidas’ rich history of iconic classics in a way only achievable by a collaboration of this magnitude.
The adidas by Raf Simons Stan Smith launches both online and in store at Aphrodite on the 12th of April at 9:00am.
Shop now online at aphrodite1994.com.
