A Kind of Guise (AKOG) is a mens and womenswear label founded in 2009 in Munich, Germany. The independent brand has steadily built a solid and highly acknowledged reputation for its simplistic and sophisticated design aesthetic. From day one the brand’s credo has been to stay authentic to its German roots by utilizing only domestic manufacturing for the entire production process. AKOG goes to great lengths sourcing premium materials to uphold their high quality standards.
For their first project within the adidas Consortium series, AKOG chose to work with the popular 1980s runner “New York”. This model counts as one of the most innovative performance shoes of its time. It introduced the now iconic Dellinger Webbing to enhance the outsole’s cushioning properties and featured the Ghillie speed lacing system. For their execution, AKOG suggested an update to the latter element by extending the three stripes and fusing them with the D-ring eyelets. Besides this technical detail, materials play the key role in the collaboration. Both upper and tongue are produced in AKOG’s popular, German-made, waffle piqué that is equally functional as it is visually striking. As a playful allusion to its home-country’s fondness for the oak tree – often used as symbol for loyalty and stability – AKOG created a pattern of oak leaves and acorns to be found on the insole and embossing on the leather heel tab. AKOG have stuck to one main color for both versions of their New York which is either dark navy or off white. As the only contrast, oak-colored leather was picked for the shoes’ leather lining.
The first adidas New York were produced in Germany, thus it only made sense to use the company’s local manufacturing facility for this project, as well. Complementing the release, AKOG have included a waffle piqué coach jacket and lambswool sweater with the collaboration’s oak leave pattern in matching colors, also made in Germany.
With the adidas New York, AKOG picked a popular style from the 1980s and reinterpreted it with their unique aesthetic. The very same approach was taken for the production of the accompanying look-book. The resulting photos are a tongue-in-cheek reference to the over-styled, happy-go-lucky motifs of a perfect life found in mail-order catalogues and advertising campaigns from a time when models were actually allowed to laugh and pets not considered out of place for being too cute or cheesy.
On October 31st the adidas Consortium × A Kind of Guise New York will be released at A Kind of Guise’s stores in Munich and Berlin, No.42 Paris, No.74 Berlin and selected Consortium retailers.
RRP New York: 220 €
RRP Oak Leaf Crew Knit: 275 €
RRP Waffle Coach Jacket: 395 €
