The adidas Originals Bali ‘Island Series’ is available now on Consortium Releases.
This iconic adidas Bali silhouette has been hugely anticipated by die-hard fans due to its coveted status as a UK-only release all the way back in 1977. They have remained a treasured favourite nearly 50 years on from their debut and have become a revered moment in the never-ending intricately woven adidas legacy.
Officially scheduled for launch on March 1st 2024, the adidas Bali is a cultural signifier. It’s timeless approach to design personifies everything we love about the brand; tried-and-tested perfected simplicity via tonal hues that mirror the deep blues in the Bali sea just off the northern coast - a makeup that the Adidas team have lovingly recreated for even the most discerning adi heads.
Although the ‘Island Series’ category is something we’ve all been familiar with for a long time, it’s actually the product of pure adidas cult-ism. When Horst Dassler moved to the French adidas factory in 1959 he pioneered a groundbreaking cultural shift within the brand, opting to move away from sports and instead target the “casual market” that he knew adidas’ innovative and comfort-driven product would likely resonate with.
Horst’s plan was to name specific silhouettes after beaches, holiday destinations and islands as a form of aspirational purchase; customers would feel like their feet are on a global vacation and they’re taking that little bit of paradise home with them. This new vacation-centric line was dubbed the ‘Leisure’ series internally at adidas however fans would later coin this the ‘Island Series’ which would go on to be officially adopted by ‘la marque aux trois bandes’ in a full circle moment.
The adidas Bali would become one of three Indonesian Islands to cruise their way onto an ‘Island Series’ release between 1977-1983 with secondary iterations offering detailed updates on fan favourite silhouettes. The adidas Java debuted alongside the Bali in 1977 with V2 releases in 1982 and 1983 respectively while the adidas Borneo silhouette would arrive 2 years after its older brothers in 1979.
This special release has the (worlds greatest) adidas cult collectors of England in a frenzy due to its rarity and unearthing OG versions are like finding a (very expensive) needle in a haystack.
Originally made in France we see that affinity for premium product carried over into the re-release of the adidas Bali Island Series with the usual kit you’d expect throughout; luxury suede uppers keep it classy up-top while its business on the bottom with the classic adi rubber outsole that will carry you from Bournemouth to Bali and back again.
The adidas Originals Bali ‘Island Series’ is available now on Consortium Releases.
