Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed all of the adidas collaborations that have been rolling out lately. The sportswear giant has worked with high-fashion brands like Gucci and Balenciaga, splicing the brands’ heritages with its athleisure edge. It also teamed with New York-based brands Noah and Khaite celebrating the sportswear label’s iconic 1980s and ’90s vintage styles. Now adidas unveiled an all-new collaboration with LVMH prize winner and South African designer Thebe Magugu.
Thebe Magugu is a reasonably new talent in fashion yet has already created a cult-like following of A-listers from Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, Issa Rae, and Tracee Ellis Ross, just to name a few that are often spotted in his garments. The debut collection with adidas is the first of two drops.
For the collection, Magugu enlisted artist Phathu Nembilwi to create joyful artwork of a woman dancing, influenced by his mother, aunt, and grandmother, while celebrating the theme of femininity.
“I’m infinitely inspired by the energy of the women in my life and the heritage of my native land,” says Magugu in a press release. “Bringing together such personal stories through design and blending them with adidas’ iconic performance and lifestyle pieces has been an amazing process. The collection celebrates all the positive influences around me, and a sense of community is so important to me. I hope it inspires the same joyful feeling in those who wear it.”
Peruse of Magugu’s designs, the garments feature an abstract selection of bright and bold colors, including impact orange and yellow, accents of bright pink and pulse lilac. The range includes pieces for many physical activities, including running, swimming, training, tennis, football, and cycling, alongside a set of casual everyday garments.
The high-performance tennis pieces have already snagged themselves a place in one of the most prominent hardcourt tournaments. The silhouettes will debut IRL on adidas inspirational athletes Dana Mathewson, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger Aliassime, and Daria Kasatkina. A standout from the range includes the Purple NY UNITEFIT Tennis Dress, delivering style and functionality that can easily be worn on the court or at brunch with the girls. It’s also made in part with recycled materials.
Although this is the first full-fledged collaboration between adidas and Thebe Magugu, it’s not the first time the two have come together to create magic. adidas previously collaborated with Magugu, and fellow South African designer Rich Mnisi on selected pieces for its Love Unites collection released for Pride Month last year.
