We chat to Offspring Community member Alex aka @a_l_e_x_70
Tell us about yourself
Hello everyone, my name is Alex and I am from Tehran. I have been an Adidas fan since my childhood, when my first Adidas item (a navy tracksuit with classic three white stripes) was gifted to me by my uncle. This was in late 70s, and this gift made me fall in love with the brand, which was a luxury and desired prize for all kids, teenagers and adults alike. Since then, I have become interested in fashion and worked in the industry in few countries.
What was the sneaker scene in Iran like growing up?
Sneakers were always a very important fashion item for Iranians, due to sanctions imposed on the country in late 70s- early 80s making financial arrangements difficult, Western brands, such as Nike, could not penetrate the market easily. Only few well-known brands were sold, mostly sportswear oriented rather than lifestyle, e.g. Wilson, Dunlop, KangaRoos, Reebok Classic, Vans, Puma Disc. Producers from Japan were quite well known- you could find Asics Onitsuka Tiger, Saucony and Tachikara trainers. Less known and probably gone by now brands were Tep, Pet, Jetwin, Reconor. Adidas was already there with classic models such as Rome worn in the 70s. In the 80s we saw more models represented in sports series, such as Wimbledon, Tennis Royal, Match, Grandprix, Ivan Lendl. Nastase. They were very popular and were imported from Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.
However, Adidas managed to catch the attention of local customers as soon as ZX 500 OG were born in 1984. One popular past time for Iranian youth was to attend a motor racing taking place out of Tehran – “Gisha”. The association between Kawasaki ZX7R motorbike and Adidas’ newly created sneakers propelled Adidas to new heights in popularity. Adidas was also very loved among members of underground breakdancing communities. Fast forward 5 years, in 1989 Torsion system revolution took place via the introduction of the ZX 4 digits series and a few others. When they appeared in shops, ZX Torsion trainers were almost unaffordable for an average young Iranian and in short supply, making them highly desirable to own and quickly became a collectable item. Sports clothing company Descente in Japan had an Adidas license in late 80s - they were producing their own designs, not available in Europe, and those sneakers and clothes made of premium quality fabrics also made way into Iran and still could be found in the wardrobes of avid collectors.
As for the Tehran shopping scene, to find desired trainers at the time, you should have gone to Central shopping arcade called Kuwaiti bazaar containing 100 shops of trainers of which 80% were selling Adidas.
This is so interesting, for many we wouldn’t have even guessed. What’s the scene over there now, does the sneaker scene expand to other brands or is it mainly adidas?
At present Adidas continues to be popular. There are also a lot of collectors with rare ZX models from the past being amassed in Iran, competing in the variety of their collections with Germans. Everything sold worldwide is now available in Iran and is much easier to access. Social media helps promotion of global trends. Younger generations of Iranians like Adidas Terrace series, while New Balance and Nike trainers are also becoming very popular.
What do you think it was about adidas that Iranians love so much?
Since Adidas was such a success in the 80s, there is the whole generation of Iranians with whom Adidas deeply resonates. It’s a sort of nostalgia that drives collectors who are now able to purchase desired sneakers, while Adidas keeps re-issuing retro old school ZX 4 digits series and adding new colours and new models. There is also an element of aesthetics, the harmony of Adidas ZX colour scheme that somehow captured the colours present in the works of Persian art and crafts and items of decor such as Persian carpets. Colourful palettes of ZX sneakers are very pleasing to the eyes of their Persian fans.
How long have you been into sneakers and how did you get into them?
I started my collection about 20 years ago, when I was already living outside of Iran, and my first pair was ZX300 (OG , grey with yellow stripes). These shoes meant a lot to me because I had literally dreamt of having them sinceI was in secondary school . But back then I only managed to borrow them from my cousin to wear for a few weeks.
You’re a massive adidas collector. What created your love for the brand?
My own love for Adidas started similarly to many other Iranians, as I was inspired by the colourful designs worn by my older relatives and friends who were bringing Adidas (and occasionally Nike Airmax, Airmax BW, Nice Walker rivals) from Japan. Those were fueling my imagination and made me a big fan of the brand. I also find Adidas Torsions are extremely comfortable trainers.
Tell us any interesting stories you have about maybe searching for pairs or traveling far and wide for pairs?
There is a story in making… One day 30 years ago a pair of Adidas caught my eye and became my dream pair. A neighbour brought from Japan a pair of RX8500 and I have been in search for these trainers ever since with no success. But I have high hopes to see it re-issued one day!
Aside from adidas shoes what else do you collect?
I'm also collecting vintage Adidas clothes.
What’s your most prized sneaker and what one means the most to you?
My most prized one is Adidas ZX8000 Aqua 1998 as it is iconic classic of 4 digits ZX family. The pair that means most for me does not yet exist 😉. I hope one day, a pair of ZX sneakers dedicated to Iranian fans will be created as an acknowledgment and reward for their love and passion for the brand.
Do you have any early sneaker memory? Where did you shop back in the day?
Back in the day the best models would not be found in the shop, you would need to agree with someone to purchase and bring it from abroad. I vividly recall waiting for months for my Asics Tarther OG in red and silver arriving from Japan when I was 17 – one of my first original trainers.
Do you have any sneaker regrets and what is your sneaker grail?
I left my Puma Disc Trinomic 1995 pair back home when I travelled to Europe. When I returned back (mind you, it was 10 years after), they were gone as my parents, probably, chucked them away as they were moving home.
What sneakers are in your rotation currently?
Now I am mostly wearing Adidas Spezial Silverbirch x Goldie (latest from Adidas Spezial) and other recent issues of Spezial.
Finally, what does community mean to you?
It's great to have such a vibrant community around Adidas, and always great to meet people inspired by sneaker fashion to exchange ideas and passions. It's a great place to share stories of the past and for me personally it became a source of positivity, which provides great mental support
Quick fire
Who is more fanatic about adidas – British or Iranians?
I think they are equally passionate about the brand. The taste just differs as clearly Brits prefer Terrace.
If you could only wear one for the rest of your life – ZX or Terrace
Obviously, ZX 😊
