adidas Consortium x Kasina 'Superstar Boost' - Launching 21st October
Postmodern classics that pay homage to Korea's artisanal past.
Kasina is one of the driving forces behind modern Korea's thriving streetwear scene. Founded in Busan in 1997, Kasina has since opened stores across the country and overseen the nation’s emergence on the international style stage, with Seoul one of east-Asia's premier streetwear destinations. Over the past two decades, Kasina and adidas have become frequent collaborators - in May 2016, the adidas concept shop ‘DAS 107 by Kasina’ opened in Seoul’s Hongdae neighbourhood. While the store is a thoroughly contemporary space, the new Kasina Superstar BOOST draws reference from Korea's rich artisanal heritage and the extensive adidas archives. It commemorates the retailer's 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary and the opening of its new retail location “1997”. The major inspiration for the premium sneaker comes from the concept of “Taesahae”, a traditional form of footwear built by craftsmen and worn by Korean noblemen for several centuries. Elegant and clean, Taesahae are traditionally iterated in black and white leather with exposed stitching attaching the upper to the sole. Kasina seeks to mirror the Taesahae’s luxury with this Superstar. The original Superstar is an indisputable icon with its unmistakable rubber shell toe box a retro symbol of classic adidas footwear that's recognised the world over. Here, Kasina subtly alters the model for a contemporary customer. The bone white upper is crafted in lavish nubuck and the shell toe is constructed from the same soft, meticulously tanned leather – replacing the signature rubber cap. A welted leather band outlines the iconic Superstar silhouette and its 3-Stripes branding only appears as tonal stitching on both sides. The adidas Consortium x Kasina Superstar Boost will launch at END. on 21st October.
