Philip Lipschutz, founder of Cincinnati-based sneaker boutique UNheardof, is coming up with another adidas collab. Back in 2023, the duo released two unique colorways of the Rivalry Low silhouette. Now this same silhouette gets a very special colorway inspired by the well-known John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati.
UNheardof x adidas
After the successful releases of the 'Grandma's Couch' pack, which was released late last year, UNheardof comes out with another release. Lipschutz recently showed the first images of the adidas Rivalry 'Building Bridges,' a colorway that takes inspiration from the bridge that connects Cincinnati to Covington.
While the connection between UNheardof and this bridge may not be immediately obvious, the ties between the bridge in Cincinnati and Brooklyn. John Roebling, the designer of suspension bridges with cables, completed his project in Cincinnati in 1867, which would subsequently serve as the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge, hence the theme “Dear Brooklyn, You're Welcome.
This bridge was a symbol of hope for Lipschutz and a gateway to a new and better world. “I've seen so much negativity and ugliness in my life, and when we skated down the street to the bridge and I saw it for the first time, I was amazed at how beautiful it was,” he says in a statement. “Everybody loves this Brooklyn Bridge, but if they knew about the Roebling Bridge, I think they would love that too.”
For his third adidas collab, Lipschutz wanted to honor not only the bridge that led him to a better life but also another place that has meant a lot to him: the Children's Home of Northern Kentucky. Proceeds from this release will therefore go to the home. The place will also receive 200 pairs of shoes for the children.
The sneaker's upper mimics the bridge's construction materials, including Buena Vista sandstone. The blue suede on the Three Stripes references the bridge's signature Roebling Blue. The translucent foam green sole symbolizes the Ohio River, and the adidas logo reflects the shape of the Ohio flag.
Release
Additionally, the collaboration introduces 'Captain Piggy,' a character inspired by steamboat captains and Cincinnati's pig industry. The UNheardof x adidas Rivalry 'Building Bridges' drops on October 25, 2024, with only 1,000 pairs available exclusively from UNheardof.
