In the latest entry in this year’s A-ZX series, adidas Originals has teamed up with Berlin-based creative collective deadHYPE to celebrate the intersection and uplifting of once-underground subcultures on the internet.
With a purple color scheme inspired by both the Marvel supervillain Thanos and Blender, a 3D modeling and animation software used by people from all corners of the digital landscape, the deadHYPE ZX 8000 presents a versatile (yet eye-catching) shoe to be assimilated into any subculture the wearer wants. Speaking to Electronic Beats, deadHYPE co-founder Bernard Komsoon noted that the model was made with everyone from the sneakerhead camping for a release in need of a warm shoe to the avid music-festival goer or studio artist who needs a durable shoe that’s a blank canvas for embracing dirt, grime, paint splatters, or scuffs.
The model is subdued and tasteful at first glance; the shoe uses a purple-tinted canvas upper with soft lilac and deeper purple overlays. Notably missing is any sort of adidas Three Stripes branding, and a blank panel takes the place of the ZX 8000’s normal branding. Perhaps one of the model’s most unusual features is a steel toecap, meant to wear through its leather overlays over time to symbolize the uncovering of new subcultures online. The model is rounded out by a subdued white midsole and clean white rope laces.
The deadHYPE x adidas ZX 8000 releases worldwide on September 18th via adidas’ website and third-party retailers like END. A black rendition of the collab featuring GORE-TEX is possibly set for release in the future, but there’s no information or pictures of the secondary pair yet. Check out photos of the model down below.
deadHYPE x adidas ZX 8000
Color: Purple Tint /Aero Pink/Tech Purple
Style Code: FX8528
Release Date: September 18, 2020
Price: $120 USD
