Putting its spin on four different silhouettes, Japanese streetwear brand Neighborhood recently collaborated with Adidas on a footwear collection that includes the NMD R1 PK, I-5923 (formerly known as the Ikini Boost), Gazelle Super, and Chop Shop.
Neighborhood's signature black and white aesthetic makes an appearance on the sneakers, but the inspiration behind this collab goes beyond the simple monochromatic look that it is known for. "First, Adidas presented us a theme which the keywords were 'team' and 'squad,'" the brand's founder, Shinsuke Takizawa, explained to Sole Collector. "When I first heard this theme, I immediately came up with a style of mixing the classic and modern which the inspiration came from a real samurai squad called 'Shinsengumi' in the late Edo period. On top of this inspiration, I have also added the Neighborhood's blackout image to this collection."
Keeping up with the theme of squads and teams, these four shoes form a squad of their own that represents the past and present of Adidas. "We have chosen a timeless model Gazelle to the newest model NMD, so we can express and challenge the wide range of style of this collection," said Takizawa.
Neighborhood is a brand that traces its origins to the genesis of the modern streetwear movement. It's 1994 birth year places it right at the beginning of a culture that's now become a mainstream in the fashion space. Based on that experience, Takizawa sees a new direction on the horizon. "Now, streetwear is very popular globally, but after the movement occurred in Tokyo (in the '90s) the next new wave has not occurred. But, I recently feel the young generation’s new wave. I feel something very new will happen in few years."
This new collaboration comes on the heels of a recent project the two launched in late December 2017. A black and white NMD R1 that features a Japanese symbol and tiger head on the heels with the word 'Invincible' running along the midsole was a successful way to cap off 2017.
The NBHD x Adidas collab released on the Adidas Confirmed app in New York City on Feb. 22, 2018 with a $180 retail price for the Gazelle Super and a $220 price tag for the other three silhouettes.
