adidas Berlin 

SERIES: ADIDAS CITY SERIES CITY SERIES (EUROPEAN CITY SERIES)

MADE IN: YUGOSLAVIA

The adidas Berlin was one of the first models to be released in the European City Series and has been fiended over by many ever since its original release in the late 1970’s. The original Berlin features a navy suede upper with light blue leather stripes, a brown sole unit and Berlin painted vertically in gold foil paint. The first release of the Berlin’s are believed to have been made in West Germany or Yugoslavia, however there are rumours that the Romanian versions were produced first. Just like a few of the other City Series models, the Berlin hasn’t seen many re-issues and has become a very hard model to source. However in late 2009 an independent sneaker and lifestyle boutique called Solebox collaborated with adidas as a part of the Consortium City Series project and introduced a new make-up of the Berlin to the market. The Solebox Berlin has a black mesh upper with faux suede details on the lacestays, stripes and toe. Other features include gold Berlin lettering on the side, gold lace tips and a gum sole. Solebox preserved the essence of the original colourway by including a light blue tongue and heeltab, whilst cleverly decorating the interior of the shoe in navy with the original light blue stripes and gold Berlin lettering. This was a seriously well made re-issue and is seen by many as the best release from the series just like the original.

Photography: errol

Text: Joel Stoddart