Adidas Originals Announces Partnership with Edison Chen

Hong Kong musician, fashion designer, and CLOT founder Edison Chen has entered into a new partnership with Adidas Originals, signaling the end of his nearly 20-year collaboration with Nike.

The new venture, Adidas Originals by Edison Chen, was unveiled on Wednesday at the CLOT Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show during Shanghai Fashion Week. The inaugural collection explores Chen’s high-fashion aesthetic through reimagined takes on classic Adidas models like the Superstar and Gazelle. The collection also includes apparel and accessories featuring the iconic Adidas stripes.

Chen had worked with Nike since 2006, when the two brands collaborated on the hugely popular Air Max 1 Kiss of Death. Over the past two decades, CLOT and Nike have created many more iconic sneakers, incorporating Chinese cultural elements into designs. But with this new Adidas partnership, CLOT’s era with Nike has come to an end.

“With Adidas, we’re creating to inspire,” Chen said. “My whole aesthetic, especially in the past few years, has fully transformed. I haven’t had the chance to create through that lens yet, which is why this collaboration is exciting.”

Chen spent time in Europe over the summer immersing himself in Adidas’ heritage and crafting a new creative vision. He describes the inaugural Adidas collection as “more chic than street” compared to his past work, representing a new direction.

Adidas is partnering directly with Chen rather than with the CLOT brand, but CLOT will still cease its Nike relationship. The first Adidas Originals by Edison Chen pieces will launch in January 2024.

Images via Adidas