Celebrate Coastal Heritage With END. x adidas SPEZIAL’s “By The Sea” Collection
When Gary Aspden first pitched the idea of SPZL to adidas, the goal was to bring the Three Stripe Brand into more independent retailers within the UK, the kind of stores Aspden himself had spent so much of his own time in growing up. Now, over ten years later, that goal has come full circle with the release of the SPZL brand’s latest collaboration. For the first time, adidas SPZL x END have linked up to create a collection which pays homage to both brands, a collection which honours the cultural icon that is the seaside town, a collection aptly titled “By The Sea”.
As with all SPZL releases, this collaborative 11-piece collection draws from adidas’ rich archives and consists of three retro-inspried sneakers as well as a full apparel collection including tees, jackets and accessories. This weekend we were invited to take an up close look at this collection and here are our thoughts.
"With any collaborations we do with adidas SPZL there needs to be a good reason for them to exist. They are often underpinned by strong existing relationships and this collaboration with END. most definitely has that." - Gary Aspden
END. x adidas Spezial Moscrop By the Sea Cardboard
Kicking things off with a classic, we have the END. x adidas SPZL Moscrop making a splash in a sandy colorway that evokes images of sun-soaked beaches. Taking design inspiration from 70s and 80s running silhouettes, as well as the adidas Raider, the SPZL Moscrop has been a hit each time it has been released under the SPZL umbrella. This latest iteration maintains the Cordura upper we know and love as well as the Dellinger Web Sole, which was added to the silhouette for its 2023 release. Opting for a neutral colour palette and a lug sole unit, this shoe seems to play on the rugged, hard-wearing nature of Britain’s coastal seaside towns.
END. x adidas Spezial Deco By the Sea Soft Blue
Another favourite of ours here at The Sole Supplier, the END. x adidas SPZL Samba Deco definitely caught our eye. With a colourway inspired by ocean-hues, it wasn’t until we got a closer look at the shoe that we realised the incredible quality of pigskin used across the entirety of the upper. The shoe is then topped off with small details such as gold co-branded logos on the heel as well as subtle debossed text on the tongue which reference back to vintage Sambas.
END. x adidas Spezial Wilsy By the Sea Chalk White
Finally, for those seeking a vintage sportswear vibe, we see the Wilsy SPZL return just in time for summer. The END. x adidas SPZL Wilsy was possibly the most popular sneaker of the collection, with many commenting on its versatile colourway and deceptive comfort. A 1-to-1 replica of the dancefloor classic, the Wilsy has long been a sought after pair for many adidas collectors and this collaborative pair is a great option if you haven’t managed to grab yourself a pair already.
The complete END x adidas SPZL “By The Sea” collection is set to release on August 9th and will be available exclusively at END. You can enter the raffle for each of these releases through the END. Launches website or app. Alternatively, you can try your luck in-store on the morning of the 9th.
