A review of the adidas Originals Stan Smith pop-up in Paris

adidas Brings the Art of Performance to Paris Fashion Week

 

written MALCOLM THOMAS

 

Set in a Paris estate in the Marais, adidas Originals  launched a two-day residency inviting friends and collaborators to celebrate and interpret Stan Smith’s enduring legacy as a conduit of creative self-expression and a blank canvas for possibility. Positioning the famous sneaker, not just as a recognisable symbol of quality but as a uniform for those who remain in constant dialogue with their craft. 

 
 
Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine James Blake Performance at Pop Up

The adidas Stan Smith Residency in Paris / a Platform for Art and Performance
James Blake performing during PFW SS27

Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine Painted Wall
 
Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine white sneaker
Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine set music
 

The multi-level residency began at the entryway with a tactile display of home goods and furnishings curated by Mathilde Vallantin Dulac, branded in green for guests to take home. In the highest room in the residence, Yung Lean was left to his own devices as he spraypainted it. Cyprien Gaillard’s conceptual film Untitled played in another, where the natural movement of thick white smoke escaping a railroad tunnel was the focus. Thibault Grevet presented an excerpt of his upcoming monograph, Far, and set up a studio where he shot candid portraits of the participating artists. Mark Gonzalez’s love of skateboarding was his contribution to the space where he performed in an indoor skatepark. One of the more popular rooms in the space was a white-clothed sitting room lounge by Guillermo Santomà, where guests like Willy Chavarria found respite from the heat and community in each other.

Music was provided with live performances by Ibeyi, minimal instruments and a grand piano. Soul artist Debbie created a sound sanctuary with a twelve-person gospel choir, and James Blake took to the keyboard along with a small band of musicians, singing songs that drew quite the crowd.

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An archival exhibition was also open to guests to explore the decades of impact the Stan Smith continues to have on culture.  

 
Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine Loli Bahia

Loli Bahia
/at adidas Stan Smith Residency in Paris

 
Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine Mark Gonzales

Mark Gonzales
/at adidas Stan Smith Residency in Paris

Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine Lil Simz

Lil Simz
/at adidas Stan Smith Residency in Paris

Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine Ibeyi

Ibeyi
/at adidas Stan Smith Residency in Paris

 
Summer 2027 Paris Fashion Week ADIDAS PFW Stan Smith Residency Space LE MILE Magazine Myles Lewis

Myles Lewis
/at adidas Stan Smith Residency in Paris

 

all images (c) adidas Originals Press