TASCHEN Announces New Book of adidas Footwear Archive
Telling the story of the brand in 357 silhouettes.
German publishing house TASCHEN has announced plans for a new book examining the footwear archive and legacy of adidas. The book — titled The adidas Archive: The Footwear Collection – tells the story of the sportswear giant through more than 357 different shoes, including never-before-seen prototypes and one-of-a-kind originals.
The imagery contained within the book has been taken by photographers Christian Habermeier and Sebastian Jäger, who have been documenting the adidas Historical Archive for years. Additionally, the book features various expert texts and an introduction by Jacques Chassaing, best known as the original designer of ZX footwear, who describes the book as a “tool for inspiration and a treasure trove that showcases adidas’ ambition, identity and originality.”
The broad range of footwear included in the book covers everything from important sporting events — West Germany’s 1954 World Cup win or Kathrine Switzer’s Boston Marathon victory in 1967 — to custom models made for Madonna and Lionel Messi. Elsewhere, big-name collaborations with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Raf Simons all feature, alongside a focus on the brand’s innovative use of materials.
The adidas Archive: The Footwear Collection can be pre-ordered from the TASCHEN web store ahead of its March 22 release date.
For more from adidas, read about the “World’s Best Career Day” hosted by the brand in Chicago.
