size? x adidas Adi’s Archive Book
In 2011 size? collaborated with adidas Originals to put out a specialized book showcasing some of Adi Dassler’s best silhouettes. The inner cover of the book was labeled with the large words “Adi’s Archive” and the following introduction:
“Decade after decade Adi Dassler took himself and his footwear on a journey, leaving behind a legacy and an archive of what is, without doubt, still some of the most desirable and iconic footwear around.”
The rest of the pages in the book are filled with large, two-page, full-color photographs of various models from over the years, including (but not limited to) the APS, Forest Hills, Gazelle Indoor, Kopenhagen, Malmo, Marathon TR, Montreal, Munchen, Orion, Rom, Superskate, and ZX 380.
This specialty book was created in conjunction with a 3 year release of retro models from the archives. Various displays were setup in size? stores to showcase the different models for sale. One of the displays designed and built by Jonty O’Connor was a mildly complex arrangement of metallic silver file cabinets, some with their drawers pulled out to house shoes. O’Connor describes his work on his site:
“I designed 3 different set-ups: wall-mounted triple and single cabinets and a free-standing unit. These were constructed out of stainless steel which were treated to prevent rust but still left the metal looking and feeling raw. Acrylic shelves were placed on the open cabinets and underneath were different images of the inside of cabinets containing blueprints for shoes and other adidas collateral. Cards were made for each shoe to show their name, purpose and date and were slid onto the front of the draw, and a printed folder gave even more information of Adi Dassler himself and his archive. Small swingtags were placed on every display shoe as well as small promotional swingtags that were attached to shoppers’ bags and huge ones in the window.”
Bound in a metal, 4-ring binder, the thick, hard cover of the book is engraved with the title and a cut-out adidas trefoil logo showing through the royal blue tint from the first page underneath. The final finish feels quite hefty and archival, giving off the impression of years of industrial design at its finest, and matching O’Connor’s display designs perfectly.
The books are not available for purchase but can be found inside of size? stores throughout the UK.
Special thanks to: Tom, Pete and Maxwell
written by Dylan Cromwell
photography by errol
