Tokyo-based designer, Shun Hirose aka RECOUTURE, worked with adidas MakerLab to reimagine the iconic adidas Campus 80s silhouette. His sneaker, along with Alex Nash and Helen Kirkum’s versions, is available via The adidas Campus 80s StockX IPO.
Read about Shun Hirose aka RECOUTURE’s design influences, thoughts on his Campus 80s, and more, below.
What influenced your sneaker design?
When I got this collaboration project, I went to the adidas original store and bought four kinds of campus sneakers and customized them and brought them to Germany. I was thinking that combining four types of colors would be interesting. I’ve been doing shoe restoration for 13 years, so my inspiration comes from my experience. I used only authentic leather for these collaboration shoes.
How did you go from concept to finished sneaker?
Adidas let me design everything, but I’m not a designer, so I felt like it was hard to develop the shoes from scratch. That’s why I combined the four kinds of adidas campus shoes and started brainstorming. When I was thinking about the design, I thought about making weird patterns and sewing the wrong way. I thought that would look different. That’s the story of how I made my sneaker.
What do you find most exciting about your sneaker?
To me, the adidas campus is a perfect sneaker to use to design. This sneaker has a half tongue, and the upper directly connects to the midsole. It’s hard to wear, and the design looks incomplete, but I think that’s the most exciting part of these sneakers.
What do you want people to take away from your sneaker?
I didn’t change the uppers, but I changed the sewing process, so it looks like a completely different design. If I can inspire people to think about how sneakers are designed and made, that would be an honor.
What adidas silhouette would you like to redesign next?
I would love to remake the Superstar!
Article Updated 02/06/2020
