INVINCIBLE x NEIGHBORHOOD x adidas NMD R1

adidas and NEIGHBORHOOD’s partnership dates all the way back to 2004 when the brand contributed a design as part of the Superstar’s 35th anniversary collaboration series. INVINCIBLE suggested using this vintage collector’s classic as a basis for inspiration. From the NMD R1’s color and materials, to smaller design motifs – subtle references are made to the all-time favorite.

Another item that particularly appealed to INVINCIBLE while exploring NEIGHBORHOOD’s archive was a “Mash Jacket”, a show-stopping, stand-out souvenir jacket embroidered with tigers, dragons and ornate lettering. Together, NEIGHBORHOOD and INVINCIBLE take the tiger – east Asian’s largest and most powerful cat – and apply it as the major design feature on their NMD. With this strong key visual they manage to elevate an already striking silhouette even further.

The tiger is used throughout Asian art and design, symbolizing liveliness as well as motivation and the positive spirit to drive and achieve progress. The partners began by deploying its influence subtly – close inspection of the stealthy black-on-black adidas stripes on the upper reveals a dark, tiger stripe camouflage. More brazen is the golden tiger head on the right heel. Beautifully embroidered, it conjures images of both the “Mash Jacket” and more traditional tapestries found throughout Asia. On the left heel the Kanji character for “Good fortune” is a further expression of the collaboration’s main theme.

While a monochrome upper references the Superstar, the NMD R1’s BOOST sole provides contemporary comfort and stability. A modern design detail is the display of both partners’ names in black on the white EVA plugs. Bold iconography is NEIGHBORHOOD’s signature, and the distinctive, modernist typography which creates strong statements across the brand’s clothing collections is utilized here with a striking effect.

The INVINCIBLE x NEIGHBORHOOD x adidas NMD R1 will have a pre-release on November 24th at INVINCIBLE and via invincible.com.tw followed by a global release at select adidas Consortium accounts on December 29th. Retail price will be $200.