This season, adidas Spezial is making a comeback and presenting its pre-spring collection. The brand is venturing into the great outdoors and exploring a expertly curated blend of functional elements and timeless styles.
The shoe lineup consists of six unique silhouettes. First up, the Hochelaga SPZL from 2016 returns in a navy suede version with yellow stripes,
inspired by the classic adidas Montreal, as well as the Hochelaga Super,
which features a white leather upper with navy blue and red “outlined” stripes.
The Hartness SPZL is inspired by the 1980s, with an upper modeled after the all-weather adidas HRC, featuring revised tooling and a heel clip —and comes in a Triple Black colorway with an Aditex membrane (and branding) integrated into the upper.
The upper is primarily made of leather with a mesh forefoot and reflective details on the heel.
The next shoe is the Arkesden SPZL, which combines classic Campus tooling with an upper pattern based on the Lacombe SPZL, featuring additional stripes and eyelets.
The result is a timeless look that features a rich brown suede upper (reminiscent of the Topanga SPZL) on a dark cupsole with contrasting flocked stripes.
Another new silhouette comes in the form of the Hiaven SPZL—a worthy successor to the Winterhill SPZL,
which features an outdoor-oriented construction with an Aditex membrane and a protective rubber mudguard.
The Denim Italia SPZL is a reinterpretation of the classic ’70s model in a premium denim version, offering an updated (and improved) take on this early 2000s model with a European flair.
Rounding out the shoe lineup is the Newrad SPZL, which was originally released in Fall/Winter 2020,
but has been reimagined for the colder seasons in solid dark brown leather.
The adidas Spezial Pre-Spring 2023 collection includes not only shoes but also apparel and accessories, and features a range of high-quality looks centered around recycled materials. The collection is led by two different jackets: the Feniscowles Jacket and the Kearsley Jacket.
The olive-green Feniscowles Jacket was inspired by the Wardour Jacket from Spring/Summer 2019. It’s packed with technical pockets and is made from 100% recycled polyester.
The Kearsley Jacket is inspired by the Lammack Parka from Fall/Winter 2016 and comes in a two-tone orange made from 100% recycled polyamide. In true Spezial spirit, the collection also features a high-quality tracksuit: for Pre-Spring 2023, these are the Tockholes TT and TP, made from 100% recycled fleece.
A selection of T-shirts and polo shirts also offers a range of perfect styling options. Rounding out the seasonal lineup is the Feniscowles beanie—a modern take on the underappreciated deerstalker silhouette, featuring adjustable ear flaps and a blend of 100% recycled polyester.
The launch of the adidas Spezial Pre-Spring 2023 collection is accompanied by a campaign film that takes viewers on an unexpected journey into the Icelandic wilderness.
Stephen Graham (Gangs of New York, Boardwalk Empire, This Is England, The Irishman), one of Britain’s finest actors and a supporter of adidas Spezial since its inception, stars in the atmospheric film, which celebrates the timeless and awe-inspiring connection between humanity and nature.
Icelandic film director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson and Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson, who composed the film’s soundtrack, also appear in the film.
The photos were taken by Kevin Cummins—the renowned music photographer who also photographed Stephen Graham for the line’s very first season.
The latest adidas Spezial collection will be available starting tomorrow in limited quantities at 43einhalb, AFEW-Store, Asphaltgold, and SUPPA.
You can find more detailed views of the complete adidas Spezial collection below:
Photos via adidas
