A brand new silhouette for 2018, adidas Originals introduces the second drop of Prophere in subtle color pops of all over core black, khaki, olive, teal and white maintaining the disruptive feel of the silhouette and creating a military feel.
Designed for everyday use with an aesthetic set to turn heads, the Prophere strips 3-stripe design language to its core before amplifying each element. A one-piece, soft knit upper forms the base of the shoe, structured by an enlarged 3-stripe mark that acts as the shoe’s lacing system, finished with a structural heel cage and reinforced tongue. This is then placed atop an aggressive midsole with fluid lines and dynamic texture, whilst embroidered details across the shoe’s medial side add a final hit to the shoe’s distinctive design.
To support the launch of the second drop of this unexpected silhouette, adidas Originals South Africa commissioned art director, stylist and photographer, Gabrielle Kannemeyer to conceptualize and shoot a local lookbook.
Here’s a quick chat with Gabrielle to get her take on Prophere:
1. Prophere is inspired by uncompromising creators and the underground world that they occupy, can you tell us a bit more about the vision for this shoot and the creators you chose as your models?
I wanted to capture people who I’m lucky enough to regard as friends and collaborators (some old, some new) in a town I grew up in for some time, a place that was always quite isolating. We took photos from Killarney Gardens to Somerset West, where we disrupted suburbia with flames and colourful smoke for a few hours and very physically made the spaces we navigated through, our turf.
The creators are all young multidisciplinary artists who are making moves in the worlds they create in. The cast’s resume is diverse, talented musicians like Da Da Shiva, Luh’ra and producer Siya Andi Biyela, performance artist Chester Martinez and actress Tatenda Wekwatenzi really resonated with the fierceness of the Prophere messaging and silhouette.
2. Disruptive in design and innovative in construction, Prophere is impossible to ignore. How did you go about styling this new standard in streetwear?
I kept it simple and took styling notes from what everyone wore on the morning of the shoot and how they usually dress. I didn’t want there to be a large departure from how they already dressed – the styling needed to be as authentic as possible. Their own personal style is completely unique and uncompromising.
3. As a multi-talented creator, what does Our Turf mean to you?
Our Turf is a mindset we take with us wherever we go – a space that enables us to be 100% unapologetic about being who we are. A new generation is at the helm of a march into the future, our turf is boundless and infinite – anything we imagine to be, is.
Shoot Credits
Da Da Shiva
Siya Andi Biyela
Luh’ra
Tatenda Wekwatenza
Chester Matinez
Zakkiyya Abdurahman
Produced by Melite Vivie
Photography, casting and styling by Gabrielle Kannemeyer
Photographic and fashion assistant Yonela Makoba
Make up by Neveen Scello
