Back Like They Never Left.
Wales Bonner x adidas return just in time for fashion month as they dynamic duo step forward with an official unveiling of their new Spring/Summer 2024 collection and campaign, titled “The Rift Valley Runners.”
In their classic storytelling style, the latest from Wales Bonner x adidas is inspired by the enduring legacy of East African runners, as well as the aforementioned British designer, with the partnership heading to the Home of Champions in Iten, Kenya. Encapsulating the themes of running culture, each piece in the collection is an ode to resilience, endurance, and dedication, with the pieces themeless decontextualising archival running looks for the modern fashion landscape. Shot by photographer Viviane Sassen and brought to life by filmmaker Steven Traylor, the collection’s campaign tells a detailed story of endurance, championing world class adidas runners including Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Bethwel Yegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Charles Simotwo, Cornelius Kemboi and Barselius Kipyego. Delving even deeper into the archives, the visuals directly reference archival sports advertising campaigns, underlining the magic of human endeavor.
Elevated materials, curated prints, and expressive patterns spread themselves across a refined apparel selection that is made up of colour blocked Three Stripes T-shirts, vibrant tracksuits, lifestyle running singlet, patterned shorts, and heritage khaki outerwear pieces. Adding some finishing touches, curated accessories also arrive alongside the range of garments, with a reversible bucket hat, a suite of bags, and bright graphic print socks making their way into this range. As expected, a selection of reimagined footwear steals the headlines for SS24′ as a signature take on the SL 76 debuts, with the vintage mesh and suede runner being reworked in two standout colourways, including yellow with black stripes and light blue with black stripes. Lastly, the adidas Samba refuses to leave the wider rotation as the classic Samba releases in two colourways and, for a Wales Bonner x adidas debut, the Samba Millennium is also put forward in two distinct compositions, one being made up with a leather heel and one utilising a blue pony hair heel.
The Wales Bonner x adidas SS24′ collection will release on May 21st via the adidas website.
Check out campaign imagery below.
PHOTO CREDIT: Viviane Sassen
