ADIDAS SPZL PRE-SPRING 2024

2024 marks the 10-year anniversary of adidas’ coveted Spezial line: an ongoing homage to the three stripes’ vast, gem-filled archives, reconfiguring the codes of the past to bring them into the present. In light of this landmark anniversary, Gary Aspen and the three stripes reunite to chart a course through the label’s past, present and future, bringing this vast DNA under the spotlight and reinventing it.

As is typical of Spezial, the footwear represents seven unique silhouettes steeped in the illustrious milieu of the three stripes. The first is the Gazelle SPZL which is carried over from Fall Winter ’23, arriving in both an all-black colourway with a suede upper – nodding to the Pulsebeat SPZL – and chalk white denim with subtle, contrasting white stripes.

The collection also sees three new additions added to the Spezial roster, each one a reflection of Gary Aspden’s penchant for delving deep into the three stripes archives. The Whitworth SPZL, for instance, is inspired by a host of ‘80s runners, its colourway a direct nod to the vintage adidas Clipper. The Handball Pro SPZL, meanwhile, references the upper of a lesser-known silhouette discovered by Gary Aspden, reworked atop a gum rubber sole and rendered in a classic, indoor sport-inspired blue colour. To complete the new silhouette offerings, the Moston Super SPZL is inspired by the adidas Arctic from the mid ‘70s, reworked with bolder green stripes and contrast stitching.

To complete things, two classic Spezial silhouettes make their return: a bespoke, 10th anniversary edition of the Wensley SPZL in light brown, as well as the much-loved adilette SPZL.