Adicolor

The Adicolor concept was launched by adidas in 1983 where trainers (sneakers) were sold with the tools that they could be customised by the purchaser.

The "adicolor" sneaker was an all white training shoe was specifically created for the adicolor concept. Presented in a wooden box, the adicolor low-top shoe comes with an all-white track jacket, a set of six colored acrylic paints, paintbrushes, and a wooden palette. The white leather can also be coated with sealant before or after painting.

In 2005 Adidas re-launched Adicolor as a replica of the original. Trainers include characters on them such as "Trimmy" "Betty Boop" "Mr Happy" "Tron" "Miss Piggy" and "Kermit the Frog". [cite news |title=Sneakerhead Bonanza |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/23/fashion/thursdaystyles/23ROW.html?_r=1&ex=1143781200&en=d9e59478e87c5bbb&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin |work=The New York Times |date=2006-03-23 |accessdate=2008-04-18 ]

There are similarities between the 1983 version and the 2005 version such as the "ghilly" lacing system and a rubber outsole. Each pair comes with two types of laces, one containing Leonardo da Vinci's quote, "For all those colours which you wish to be beautiful, always start with a fresh white ground".

One of the Adicolor range was criticised by the Organization of Chinese Americans for presenting a stereotyped image of Asians. [cite news |title=Asians Decry Adidas Shoe as a Misstep |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/13/AR2006041301886_pf.html |work=Washington Post |date=2006-04-14 |accessdate=2008-04-18 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.press.adidas.com/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-4/79_read-3866/ adicolor 2006:Self expression and customization - press release 2005.]

* [http://www.soleredemption.com/archives/2006/02/24/adidas-w1-adicolor/ A picture of Adidas W1 Adicolors in it's wooden box - Sole Redemption.]