Inspired by unpredictable climates, adidas Originals introduces two new silhouettes designed to stand up to any weather condition, without sacrificing visual effect.
Physical and technical, ATRIC is the new Originals concept that’s engineered for the outdoors and designed for the street.
Setting a standard of its own, it offers pioneering weather resistance and premium materials to equip the wearer and offer pinnacle performance for any and every condition. First up is the AF 1.3 PK, a high-top silhouette inspired by Germany’s elite tactical police unit, the GSG 9.
The shoe blends modern aesthetics with a range of technical elements to create a striking silhouette with practical considerations. The shoe’s full Primeknit upper is structured by coated overlays for waterproofing, reinforced by a weather-resistant lining for protection against the elements.
This is strengthened further by an insulation sock-liner and full-length lacing system, finished with embroidered 3-stripes marks and essential branding details. This is then placed atop a rugged hiking outsole for a perfect heavy-duty look. The AF 1.3 PK is available locally in a classic black makeup with contrast white tooling. Accompanying the high-top iteration, the AF 1.4 PK translates this same design ethos into a low- top context.
The same construction approach returns through Primeknit with coated overlays and insulation linings atop a hiking outsole, creating a utilitarian runner silhouette. The AF 1.4 PK will release in both the classic black makeup with contrast white tooling as well as a pure white palette, culminating in a striking dual release that pushes utilitarian footwear design to its furthest reaches yet.
To support the launch of this franchise, adidas Originals South Africa commissioned Jamal Nxedlana, publisher and creative director of Bubblegum Club to conceptualize and shoot a localized lookbook. The result is a visual narrative that explores the idea of an urban warrior and the way in which they navigate the city spaces that they occupy.
We sat down with Jamal to delve a little deeper:
1. The Atric Pack redefines sport utility for the city and offers urban warriors; outdoor performance footwear with functional and fashionable appeal. How did you interpret this idea of an urban warrior in a local context?
I feel there is already a strong relationship between South Africa’s urban youth culture and concepts such as outdoor, performance, function and fashion. As a result I was more interested in creating a look, which distilled these elements, primarily by using solid blocks of color to create a bold and graphic style of imagery.
2. Can you give us more insight into why you chose to portray the hunting ground, Johannesburg, through a futuristic dystopian lens?
I guess because that’s one of the ways that I see Johannesburg: as this futuristic and dystopian place. It’s crazy, dynamic and difficult to navigate and as a result serves up many challenges, which force you to be innovative in order to survive. This is one of the things that make the city exciting and unique and I wanted to reflect that.
3. As a photographer who is constantly seeking the unexpected in urban spaces, how do you feel that Johannesburg as a city has shaped the way that you create?
I create predominantly in the Johannesburg CBD and as a result I naturally respond to this context and negotiate that space. As mentioned before, the city is extremely dynamic and I think that aspect comes through in the way that I work, which is constantly changing and shifting.
4. And lastly, from a technical and aesthetic point of view, is it the progressive AF 1.3 PK high- top or the innovative AF 1.4 PK runner that speaks to you and the armour you choose to clothe yourself in?
It is difficult to choose one because I love both styles and have a very clear idea of how I would wear each of them but if I had to choose one I would say the AF 1.3 PK because it is a fresher and more challenging sneaker silhouette.
Model: Joseph Ntahilaja
Photography & Styling: Jamal Nxedlana
Hair & Makeup: Orli Meiri
Photography Assistant: Lex Trickett
Styling Assistant: Lebogang Ramfate
