When adidas first introduced the NMD in 2015 it grabbed people’s attention in a big way, the utilisation of the adidas’s boost technology, the futuristic Prime-knit upper and overall aesthetic of the shoe was a breath of fresh air to sneakerheads around the world. However it wasn’t until 2016, when adidas Originals teamed up with Pharrell Williams for the first Human Race collection, that the true potential of the shoe was realised.

Fast forward to 2018 and the adidas Originals by Pharrell Williams Hu collection is still going strong, with the two meeting again this season to continue their creative partnership and further develop the Hu story. This collection is a continuation of the SOLARHU collection, which is inspired by the fearless colors, bold patterns, and stylistic flair of East Africa, and sees Pharrell continuing his experimentation with bold prints and textures.

Alongside the visual aesthetics of the area Pharrell and adidas have also reiterated their shared belief that, through sport, we all have the power to transform lives, therefore the collection draws heavily on the tradition of long distance running that has a rich heritage in the region.

Revisiting his now iconic Hu NMD, Pharrell plays with the established aesthetic markers of the SolarHu collaboration. Expressed in four bold colourways, Power Blue, Clear Blue, Black, and White, each sneaker in the collection features a printed collar, designed to evoke traditional East African weaving techniques in a medley of colours. Continuing the motif of motivation through language, each pair is emblazoned with the words ‘Empower’ and ‘Inspire’ embroidered in Chinese lettering across the Primeknit upper.

The adidas Originals by Pharrell Williams SOLARHU collection will be available in Footpatrol London and Paris and online from Saturday 10th November. Sizes run from UK6 – UK12 (including half sizes), priced at £220.