Dingyun Zhang and adidas Originals Unveil Reimagined Samba Sneaker

Chinese designer Dingyun Zhang has teamed up with adidas Originals to launch an innovative take on the iconic Samba sneaker. The highly anticipated collaboration, set to release on May 10th, 2023, via select retailers and CONFIRMED, blends elements of football and skateboarding culture to create a unique and conceptual design.

Zhang, a graduate of London's prestigious Central Saint Martins university, is known for his fluid and conceptual approach to design. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with iconic fashion and sportswear labels such as Marni and YEEZY. For the Samba project, Zhang drew inspiration from his childhood admiration of adidas shoes, particularly the Tracy McGrady T-Mac 5 and the tech-y 1.1 Intelligence.

To bring his vision to life, Zhang visited adidas' archives in Beijing and Herzogenaurach, immersing himself in decades of footwear history. "As a designer, I'm dedicated to creating newness, from scratch... Bypassing obstacles; the more you challenge yourself, the more you think outside the box and explore new frontiers," Zhang states.

The reimagined Samba features a distinctive heel guard inspired by the 2006 adidas Predator Absolute cleat, juxtaposed with an exaggerated cushion heel reminiscent of popular 2000s skate styles. The puffy low-cut silhouette pays homage to street skaters who modified their shoes to create low tops. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the upper is made of rippling patent leather, complemented by a suede toe box and a sole made of matte-embossed gum rubber.

Breathable holes strategically placed on the Three Stripes iconography, tonal branding, and an all-black color scheme complete the design. The monochromatic finish holds personal significance for Zhang, as it evokes memories of his school days when he had to black-out his Sambas to conform to uniform dress codes.

"This shoe is all about demonstrating that highly conceptual ideas can be stretched into an all-new physical silhouette," Zhang explains. The launch is accompanied by a dynamic set of films that use technology to explore transformations in texture and concept, telling the story of the Dingyun Zhang Samba.

The Dingyun Zhang adidas Originals Samba is set to launch on May 10th, with sign-ups for purchases on CONFIRMED opening on May 4th at 10:00 CET. As Zhang continues to make waves in the design world, this partnership marks an exciting chapter in the evolution of the iconic Samba sneaker, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in footwear design.

Key Takeaways

• Dingyun Zhang collaborates with adidas Originals on a new Samba sneaker.
• The shoe blends football and skateboarding culture with a unique design.
• Zhang drew inspiration from his childhood and adidas' archives.
• The Samba features a heel guard, cushion heel, and patent leather upper.
• The shoe launches on May 10th, with sign-ups opening on May 4th.