Mind The Gap: adidas Originals Launches Collab with Transport for London

adidas Originals and Transport for London (TfL) have unveiled a significant new collaboration, celebrating the heartbeat that keeps London moving and its unique ability to unite all creators on a common ground.

The partnership has been launched to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the world-renowned Oyster card with adidas and TfL kicking off the partnership through the release of three limited edition shoes inspired by this anniversary. The exclusive 1500 pairs form the ‘Oyster Club pack’ and are released with an Oyster card topped up with £80 credit.

It isn't the first time adidas has teamed up with a city's transport board - last year saw it collaborate with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) in Germany.

The first release from the partnership brings together three iconic adidas silhouettes: Temper Run, Continental 80 and ZX 500RM. Each of their unique design identities tells a story from TfL’s history, told through design detailing alongside adidas and TfL brand marks. The pairs are presented with a premium leather Oyster Card holder and bespoke packaging, inspired by vintage underground posters to honour the heritage of the London Underground. The collaboration with adidas was agreed through TSBA, TfL’s brand licensing partner.

Gavin Thomson, SVP Region West Europe at adidas said: “London is a city bubbling with creativity from a population constantly moving forwards. TfL and the Underground network make that possible. This partnership allows adidas to celebrate the world’s most famous transport system and London through our designs. True to adidas’ Originals principles, the collaboration takes its inspiration from the past, present and future to celebrate the heritage and unity of London’s creators. United by TFL. Told by Originals.”

Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at TfL said: “The Tube, its roundel and the Oyster card are all iconic symbols of London and this partnership shows how two world-renowned brands can work together to produce something truly original. Collaborations like this help provide vital funds that we invest in modernising the transport network for the benefit of all of our customers.”

The iconic ZX 500 RM has been re-imagined for this release, inspired by vintage advertising posters found in abandoned train stations. Their stand out feature is the recognisable London Underground colour world pattern which is visible within a semi-translucent outsole. The ‘Hidden London’ roundel is printed on the tongue of the right foot and celebrates London Transport Museum’s exclusive programme of tours and events at disused stations and secret sites across London. Other features include a leather sock liner with debossed adidas trefoil, black coloured BOOST, nubuck mesh upper and leather tongue logo.

80 The popular Continental 80 silhouette has been reimagined to pay homage to the first ever underground line in the world, known today as the Metropolitan line, which ran from Paddington to Farringdon street and was 3 3⁄4 miles in length. A special embroidery execution details the side of the shoe, to reveal the original map for this first underground line. The ‘3 3⁄4’ length detail is debossed in gold on the heel strap of the shoe. For the first time in a Continental 80, the design features a brand new execution on the medial and lateral webbing tape, and the metal lace tips match the familiar Metropolitan line colour.

The Temper Run is designed to spotlight the 15th anniversary of the Oyster Card – which led the way for ‘pay as you go’ travel to be offered by public transport providers across the world. The Oyster Card is now an iconic part of our London culture and is recognised across the globe. The Temper Run shoe features a debossed ‘Mind The Gap’ roundel on the left foot tongue, and reflective detailing across the upper.

The 1500 pairs will be available to buy from 27th October at the adidas Originals stores in London at Fouberts Place and Hanbury Street, as well as select retailers, with an RRP of £80.