It was the silhouette that bucked a never-ending trend: Raf Simons’ take on adidas’ ostentatious Ozweego.
For the past five years, designers have been making little nods to the fawned over, Frankenstein design, praying they could replicate its wild success in the ugly sneaker game. But let’s face it: nothing beats the original. First revived by the Belgian designer for the AW13 collection of his eponymous label, he’s given it a fresh facelift six years on. This time, it’s metallic.
Inspired by the hallmarks of Simons’ SS19 show that paid homage to the artists that spearheaded 70s new wave, his new Ozweego design appears to be dipped in a pool of liquid chrome; a nod to the cyber-metallic future those rockstars of the past envisioned. That mirror-like sole is eye-catching enough, but you can mix it up with the choice of cream, black, blue, red, and even baby pink colourways too.
To celebrate the silhouette’s launch, adidas joined forces with Browns to give Raf and Ozweego fans a close up look at the sneaker IRL at an in-store event that took place at Browns East in Shoreditch last week. Featuring DJ sets from Sherelle, Conducta, Qendresa and J.Caesar back-to-back, photographer Stephen Akinyemi photographed all the goings on.
Head to the gallery above to see more from the night, and here to get your hands on a pair.