Is Dingyun Zhang Filling the Post-Yeezy Void for adidas?

One thing that most sneakers under the Yeezy brand had in common was that they were very futuristic, and sometimes even bizarre. With Dingyun Zhang teaming up with adidas again, it seems like another partnership is brewing, aimed at furthering the 3-Stripes' commitment to unconventional footwear.

A graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins, Zhang has already made significant strides in the fashion industry. During his sophomore year, he grabbed the attention of Kanye West who brought him on board to design some of the most iconic silhouettes at YZY brand. Zhang made a huge impact at Yeezy, being the creative mind behind popular styles like the 700 Wave Runner, NSLTD BT and the Foam Runner.

The Sambas are the emerging designer’s second collaboration with adidas. While their first pair came in a sleek “Core Black,” these new versions arrive in more autumn-appropriate make-ups. The “White Vapour” colourway embraces a monotone palette, with the padded heel and tongue typical of Zhang's design elements from previous silhouettes.

For the “Oxidized Brown/Solar Red” option, the gum sole and upper sport a warm palette, while the sock liner and prominent heel collar stand out in a light gray hue. To top it off, co-branded tongues and laces in an eye-catching “Solar Red” make this edition hard to ignore. Both of these sneakers arrive with a premium finish, the suede upper and puffy heel collar combination that leaves Zhang’s signature on the decades-old Samba.

Up next are the Dingyun Zhang x adidas Kouza running shoes which are totally giving us sci-fi vibes. These sneakers push the limits with their design, featuring techy details like taped seams, XL perforations, and a one piece heel counter. The adidas Kouza's design takes design queus from the adidas Beijing 2008 Boxing Boot, an event which encouraged huge deisgn innovation from the 3-Stripes. It's also worth bearing in mind that the name 'Kouza' comes from an East Asian plant that shifts with the seasons, a feat reflected in the model's ethos with Zhang commenting, “the adidas Kouza embodies the oscillation between form and function while retaining elegance and style”.

In an interview with Highsnobiety, Zhang shared how his childhood experiences, particularly his love for the Transformers series, inspired his creative vision. Interestingly, this reflects the cultural influences that BAPE's former designer NIGO also drew upon when crafting the Air Force 3.

So, is the partnership between Dingyun Zhang and adidas set to deliver some other-worldly silhouettes for years to come? It might be too soon to say for sure, but one thing’s for certain: the sneaker community is already buzzing with excitement about what the two will cook up with together!

The Dingyun Zhang x adidas Kouza collection are set to drop on 15th October for £300, while the Dingyun Zhang x adidas Sambas are releasing 18th October for £220. You can buy these from the adidas CONFIRMED app as well as select European retailers.

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