The Darkside Initiative Blog
Friday, October 14, 2016
New adidas Consortium in Store and Online Saturday 10.15.16
Friday, September 16, 2016
New adidas Consortium Saturday 9.17.16
Monday, November 9, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
New adidas Consortium in Store and Online 10.10.15
adidas Consortium Superstar 80v UNDFTD x BAPE®
This fall, UNDEFEATED and A Bathing Ape® enter the second round of their collaboration on the classic Superstar 80v for the adidas Consortium series.
Earlier this year the BAPE® camouflage saw a comeback to the Superstar silhouette, a nod to adidas Consortium's initial project with the legendary Japanese streetwear brand in 2003. For their collaboration with UNDEFEATED, the US-based pioneer of high-end sneaker retail, this iconic pattern was rendered in two new and exclusive color palettes for the Superstar 80v. While on the first pack the camouflage appeared more subtle, for this release all restraints are lifted as an all-over print adorns the shoes' complete upper as well as matching laces. The resulting aesthetic exemplifies both partners' design approach which constitutes the constant, masterful balance between the subtle and subliminal versus the flashy and flamboyant.
The second UNDFTD x BAPE® Superstar 80v is produced with a novel material treatment on black suede. One color was picked from the camouflage pattern as base-color for the leather dye and left out from the all-over print. The result is a stunning, highly tactile effect. Slightly more subtle details include matching suede heel tab and three stripes as well as the camouflage insole print. Complementing the “all-over” effect are the camouflage laces which can be exchanged with a matching mono-colored set. As before, the gold embossed UNDFTD Strike Logo, BAPE® Head, and lettering appear as clear visual identifiers for this collaboration.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
New adidas Consortium in Store Saturday 4.18.15
In-line with both brands’ design languages the result is a masterful balance between the subtle and the expressive. At first sight the uppers of the either black or white Superstar seem plain, with only little hints at the collaboration – golden embossings of the UNDEFEATED / BAPE® brand names and logos – at second sight, heel tab, tongue, lining and – most prominently – the inner three stripes reveal BAPE®’s iconic camouflage pattern as the key design detail. Produced in premium soft leather, the crisp white version is executed with a camouflage in shades of blue, while the black edition features a greyscale pattern.
adidas Consortium Undefeated Bape Superstar 80V. Black. B34291
Friday, January 30, 2015
New adidas Consortium Online and in Store Saturday 1.31.15
Ten years on, Consortium has become a mark in its own right, a guarantee of quality in material and construction, a seal of approval from the most important retailers in the sneaker industry. Exploring the archive and more recently employing adidas’s freshest technologies, Consortium has produced some of the brand’s greatest partnerships and collaborations.
The 10th Anniversary series sees adidas Originals invite five of the original Consortium partners to re-approach the Superstar, once again bringing their own unique flavors to an irrepressible footwear icon.
adidas Consortium Superstar x Dassler
In 2005 adidas Originals created a homage to their founder and namesake, adding a picture of Adi Dassler to the heel of an otherwise faithful remake of the OG vintage Superstar.
Their 10th Anniversary Consortium Superstar flips the colorway with a premium soft black leather upper complimented by white leather heel tab and lateral Three- Stripes. Adi’s face features once again on the heel of both shoes in debossed black and white, whilst the Superstar’s classic tooling and toebox come in vintage off- white. Laces offered in Black or White feature Consortium aglets whilst the 10th Anniversary branding is featured on the inside tongue label and suede footbed.
adidas Consortium Superstar x UNDFTD
Undefeated’s black leather Superstar of 2005 was the first of many collaborations between the brands. Ten years later they celebrate their long and fruitful partnership with a luxurious remake of a shoe that holds special significance to Undefeated founder James Bond.
The UNDFTD 10th Anniversary Consortium Superstar features an all white leather upper with reptilian detailing, complemented by an off white leather lining to match the toe box and sole unit. The vintage adidas Superstar box logo appears in gold just behind the Three-Stripes, whilst Undefeated’s own 5-strike logo is embossed subtly on the lateral heel of both shoes. The shoe comes with three sets of monochromatic laces, one of which features Undefeated branding throughout.
Friday, December 12, 2014
New adidas Consortium in Store and Online Saturday 12.13.14
adidas Consortium - UNDFTD X MAHARISHI
The collection includes two sneakers, the Jabbar Mid and ZX 5000. The sneakers feature the unique Disruptive Court Print designed by Undefeated and Maharishi. The striking printed details, finished in high quality executions, make this a unique and unexpected offering.
ZX 5000
Features printed canvas and smooth leather lining. Striking printed details and high quality executions makes this an unique and unexpected sneaker.
adidas Consortium Undefeated Maharishi ZX 5000.
JABBAR MID
A silhouette made famous by Kareem Abdul Jabbar, this iteration features printed canvas and smooth leather lining. Striking printed details and high quality executions makes this a unique and unexpected sneaker.





















































