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German sportswear giant adidas is teaming up with British retailer and perennial collaborator size? to celebrate the store's anniversary with a range of City Series sneakers. Set to release periodically throughout the year, the size? 25th Anniversary will get underway with the launch of the adidas Shanghai. History will be revisited with a new twist as this release is limited to 2,025 pairs.
First released in 2020 to celebrate the size? 20th Anniversary, the Shanghai is a modern addition to the traditional adidas City Series. Back in 2010, to celebrate its 10th Anniversary, size? partnered with adidas to launch six pairs, including the London, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Cardiff, and Birmingham, all limited to 500. These pairs were hugely influential in a resurgence of classic Terrace-style footwear that was massively popular in the UK during the 80s, particularly among match-attending soccer supporters who stood on the terraces of stadia around the globe, hence the name.
Fast forward a decade, and to celebrate the 20th Anniversary in 2020, size? and adidas released another six pairs; this time, new cities were combined with the originals. London twinned with Shanghai, for example, limited to 2,020 pairs. Inspired by the ambiance of the night sky in the Chinese metropolis, the sneaker is still widely sought after, and resale prices can exceed 4/5x retail.
This all sets the scene for the new shoe, again inspired by Shanghai at night. A design element kept from the 2020 pair is the vivid orange Three Stripes, a hue that captures the streetlights that line the city. The vivid purple burst suede utilized for the upper is joined by a hit of semi blue burst leather at the heel; this color palette is inspired by the legendary Blue Highway that runs for 4 km through Shanghai and is lit up in vibrant hues on a nightly basis.
Parallel to the stripes along the midfoot, the Shanghai moniker is denoted in gold foil. As what is considered correct and proper for the silhouette, a dimpled tongue sits in place, color-matched to the vivid upper and bearing a gold Trefoil graphic. At the heel, gold foil proclaims 1/2025, and the insoles feature embroidered tags that herald the 25th Anniversary, both design cues seen on previous anniversary shoes. A dark gum-colored rubber outsole completes the look, with the pair arriving with multiple lace sets and in a specially designed box.
The size? exclusive adidas Shanghai City Series 25th Anniversary is set to release on February 2, 2025, online and in-store. Available in unisex sizing, retail is $120. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
adidas Shanghai City Series 25th Anniversary (size? Exclusive)
Images via adidas
Craig Bell happily talks about sneakers or as he calls them "trainers" every day of the year. An avid Bradford City fan, he's also a big supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. He will forever profess that Cricket is better than Baseball and that Rugby League is better then Rugby Union. Among his many hot takes, he believes the adidas ZX range is the pinnacle of sneaker design.
