The Australian label is finding a new identity- and is ready to showcase it with their latest collaboration with adidas.
Hal Studios Design Thinking is the imprint’s latest chapter. According to the brand, “HSDT is an interdisciplinary practice shaping objects, spaces, and experiences through the convergence of research, design, and collective world-building.” In other words, HSDT presents Hal Studios with the opportunity to further tell stories, from the bottom up. From the first sketch, to the final product image, HSDT aims to create a whole new world for their projects to breathe in a congested sneaker space.
This ambitious new chapter from the Australian imprint has been introduced via their latest sneaker collaboration- as they conquer the adidas Intimidation low.
Originally released in 1999, the Intimidation was part of Adidas’ “Feet You Wear” campaign. The goal of this campaign was to create sneakers that mimicked the shape of human feet, ultimately allowing for better performance for athletes. The outsole of the sneaker might look familiar- as it was borrowed by Kanye West and the Adidas Yeezy design team for the Yeezy 500.
Now, HSDT is tapping into the vault and putting their spin on the 1990s trainer.
“Our iteration introduces a new, translucent RPU moulded cage, redesigned as a singular organic form. A minimalistic evolution of a silhouette that was truly ahead of its time”, explained Creative Director John Bouquet when sharing the collaboration back in January via Instagram.
“From archive to evolution,” is the mantra shared by HSDT for this collaboration. This same thought process is what has lead to plenty of sucessful footwear projects from HSDT in the past. It is meant to celebrate the past, all the while tastefully pushing it to the future. This push allows fans to better appreciate an archival sneaker, all the while, allowing Bouquet and HSDT to flex their design muscles.
HSDT’s reimagination of the Intimidation Low is “guided by the principles of biomorphism. Modeling objects on forms and patterns found in nature. Fluid lines, anatomical logic, and a low-slung stance preserved. Now encased in a seamless RPU exoskeleton.”
In a sense, Hal Studios Design Thinking takes the previous centuries trainer and uses influences from nature to bring it to 2025. Though the sneaker gained it’s popularity because it was a great trainer, its return is aiming to reconnect sneakerheads with nature and the world around us.
The Hal Studios Design Thinking adidas Intimidation Low will release in two colorways on September 3rd via their online store.
Official images courtesy of HSDT
