Is Balenciaga x adidas Returning?
Early images of a potential Balenciaga Track x adidas Originals Forum High imply so.
Is Balenciaga x adidas Returning?
Early images of a potential Balenciaga Track x adidas Originals Forum High imply so.
On December 22, 2022, adidas announced that it had “taken the time to re-evaluate [its] partnership with Balenciaga,” concluding that “all product launches” would be paused “until further notice.” This came shortly after the Demna-helmed fashion House found itself in the middle of a media storm, circulating around the controversial duo of Balenciaga campaigns.
But now, rumors are circulating about the return of adidas x Balenciaga. While Hypebeast has previously stated we might have already reached the peak of sportswear x streetwear collaborations, there may still be potential for more to come. Two days ago, the Instagram user @kicksdong shared a picture of a never-before-seen silhouette — a Frankenstein style that blends Balenciaga’s Track Sneaker with adidas Originals’ Forum High.
While the picture is rudimentary, we must not forget that original pictures of the adidas x Balenciaga Triple S were also unarguably sketchy. This leak turned out to manifest into a runway show‘s worth of collaborative clothing, accessories, and shoes, notably including pairs like the Destroyed Stan Smith.
With this in mind, a Track x Forum (Torum? Frack?) sneaker might not be off the cards if the collaboration is indeed set to return. If so, we can see that Balenciaga has given adidas Originals’ Forum High a luxurious pebbled white leather makeover, intersecting the clean uppers with bright red Three Stripe motifs and matching collar and heel clips also in premium-grained leather.
A large strap wraps around the tongue, while gray suede is used around the lower part of the uppers. On top of the uppers is a cage taken from the Track Sneaker, here done in white leather with Balenciaga branding on the lateral front quarter. EU sizing (which happens to look like adidas’ sample size, EU 42) is embroidered into the toe, while a Trefoil logo is stamped into the rear quarter panel in red.
Currently, it’s too early to officially say whether or not adidas x Balenciaga is set to return. Stay tuned to Hypebeast for more information as news unfolds.
Elsewhere, Balenciaga has resurrected its Speed Trainer — turning it into a mule.
