adidas Originals Relaunches Its Iconic A-ZX Series
26 special ZX makeups will drop over the course of 2020 and 2021, with each release hinted to by a mysterious “periodic table.”
In celebration of its ever-influential ZX line, adidas Originals has relaunched its iconic A-ZX series. The ZX line changed the world of athletic footwear forever when it was introduced in 1984, showing that high-performance running shoes could also become lifestyle favorites. Then, more than two decades later in 2008-2009, the Trefoil celebrated the ZX line’s heritage with an A-ZX program that produced special drops and tapped partners from Boedga to colette and HUF. Now, over the course of 2020-2021, the A-ZX program is set to return with 26 more collaborative and commemorative drops, all hinted at by a “periodic table” graphic.
A trifecta of styles are set to kick off the proceedings: an OG ZX 10000 C, a hybrid ZX 8000 Superstar and an atmos ZX 8000 “G-SNK.” The ZX 10000 C checks off the “Re” (Retro) on the periodic table, and marks the OG colorway’s first ever re-release. With a mix of white, blue and black plus a trim build, it’s a striking blast from the past with details sure to appease longtime Three Stripe fans. Next up is the ZX 8000 Superstar. Coinciding with a year-long celebration of the Superstar‘s 50th anniversary, this trompe l’oeil style fills in “S” (Superstar) on the periodic table and mixes two Three Stripes classics together with a familiar white and black color scheme plus a clever yellowed shelltoe-style toe cap.
Finally, atmos’s ZX 8000 “G-SNK” fills in “A” (Atmos) on the table. It’s the boldest of the inaugural bunch too, thanks to a blend of bright green reflective snakeskin, furry materials and bold black hits. Although the “G-SNK” has already released in Japan, the A-ZX pack launch will mark its global debut. adidas has also announced that the pack’s next release will be “Ir,” though the meaning has not been confirmed yet — potentially “infrared” or a collaboration with legendary NYC graffiti crew IRAK.
The adidas A-ZX pack’s rollout will commence with the ZX 10000 C OG’s release on August 7. The ZX 8000 Superstar follows on August 14 and the atmos x adidas ZX 8000 “G-SNK” will debut on August 28. All will be available via the adidas webstore, and prices have yet to be announced.
For more news on influential adidas silhouettes, check out HYPEBEAST‘s recent five-year retrospective on the UltraBOOST and how it saved adidas lifestyle footwear.
