adidas x NEIGHBORHOOD SS18
Germany meets Japan in a superior counterculture collaboration project. This is the adidas x NEIGHBORHOOD SS18 collection.
adidas’s history of collab projects is, to say the very least, pretty darn impressive. The brand’s portfolio of work involves teaming up with some of the most respected names in both the footwear and fashion industry.
Most recently, we got a closer look at their work with another iconic brand: NEIGHBORHOOD. The Japanese outfitter has been a renowned name throughout the fashion industry for quite some time.
Their combination of muted pallets and edgy stylings are an expression of motorcycle and counterculture. This unique label comes together with adidas to put their unmistakable touch on some of the best from the Three Stripes brand.
This SS18 collection is a sight to behold, blending both design philosophies seamlessly. adidas is generally prone to aiming for streamlined designs and futuristic builds. NEIGHBORHOOD brings their own take to this by making every piece in this collection a bit more utilitarian.
Representing countercultures means the materials and stylings have to be markedly different to keep with the NEIGHBORHOOD aesthetic. The streamlined look is still there, and so is the futurism. With that being said, there is a different future interpreted in this project.
The combination of the colors and branding details make most pieces seem like something out of a dystopian world. The colors coordinate, but there is dissonance in the smaller details, including asymmetry.
The highlight of this release has to be the NMD_R1. NEIGHBORHOOD’s true design approach really comes to the surface when it comes to this iteration. The R1’s overall build stays the same, neither brand seemingly wanting to fix what wasn’t broken. But, the variation here comes to us via some graphic details. Sure, we get some functional lateral overlays and a crisp execution of the Black-Out look, but the main draw is more visually striking.
Along the lower third of the upper, we see a shark tooth detailing, giving this rather lowkey runner a more aggressive presence. All of a sudden, this isn’t just another NMD_R1, doomed to flow into the anonymity of its own popularity. On the contrary, this is doubletake-worthy stuff.
Celebrating a dystopic vision
Other pieces of this collection make sure you have plenty to choose from. A standout here is a long raincoat, sporting a dual-cord set up on the collar. A good selection of sweatshirts, shorts, and t-shirts only add to the variety. Every piece in this collection comes in a Black scheme, accented with contrasts of White.
The dystopic visions that sometimes come with futurism can be a bit exhausting, especially when we’ve seen the look so very, very often. In fact, adidas’s collaborative work with Yohji Yamamoto has given us plenty in the way of dark futuristic garments.
With that being said, NEIGHBORHOOD manages to operate from a similar standpoint without going overboard on the dreary. Though they’re relatively benign, the branding hit and accompanying graphics serve a brightening purpose.
Find out the complete adidas x NEIGHBORHOOD SS18 collection at our adidas store.