Wales Bonner And adidas Return To The Samba And SL72 For Fall/Winter ’23

Towards the latter half of 2020, British-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner introduced her very first joint effort with the Three Stripes. Comprised of several apparel standouts as well as one of the most sought after collaborative Sambas of the last few years, the capsule was just the beginning of what would become a long-running partnership. And to honor how far they’ve come in the three years since, Wales Bonner and adidas are revisiting the very same silhouettes that started it all.

Though equally as bold as its predecessor in the way of color, the newly-remastered version of the Wales Bonner x adidas SL72 is a sizable departure in its construction. In place of nylon, the model opts for woven mesh unders, with matching suedes and nubuck layered across the heel, toe box, and lace unit. The two colorways dress said fixtures in either a bright green or a deep brown, pairing these with orange and red hits, respectively. Stitched detailing — a signature of Bonner’s work — is, of course, present, accenting the heel tab as well as the outer edge of the tongue.

The accompanying Wales Bonner x adidas Samba follows closely in the footsteps of what came before. In regards to its general design, the pair is a 1:1 recreation of the original, incorporating the intricately stitched stripes as well as the elongated tongue. Materials and color are what set it apart, as the silver metallic finish employed throughout is quite a big leap from its counterpart’s brown suede construction.

Enjoy a quick look at the upcoming Wales Bonner x adidas releases ahead. No firm release date has been confirmed just yet, but we should be learning more leading up to the Fall/Winter ’23 season.

UPDATE 5/3/2023:
A second colorway of the Wales Bonner x adidas Samba is confirmed to be on the way. Official images of both the “Silver Metallic” and “Ecru Tint” have been added below.