Time for something truly bespoke for all you 3-Stripes savants out there.

We’ve linked up with adidas Originals and Japanese retailer, Billy’s, for an unprecedented ‘Japan City Series’ collection that’ll see an A-side and B-side exclusive for each brand’s respective take as we venture to all corners of the archipelagic island country and then some.

The first pairs in the collection see us visit Sapporo. A mountainous northern region famous for its beer breweries, ski culture and Ainu crafts; textiles woven from the bark of the Sasa attus tree and a craft native to the Hokkaido Prefecture where Sapporo resides.     

Ahead of the ‘Japan City Series’ launch, we sat down with size? Brand Director Luke Matthews and Billy’s to talk about the history behind the adidas ‘City Series’, terrace culture as a whole, and the inspiration behind our inaugural silhouettes in the new collection. Binge it all below.

Tell us a bit more about the main concept of the collaboration with size? and Billy’s, and the idea behind the ‘A-side and B-side’ way of working?

Luke Matthews: “A big part of collecting trainers over the years has been exclusivity; some of the most exciting launches in the past have been models that were limited to a certain territory. We wanted to pay homage to this school of thought by giving each of us “our exclusive” that would come from our territory.”

Billy’s: “We are very happy to be collaborating with the UK, a country with a deeper historical background for sneakers and adidas, and size? who is representing the sneaker scene in UK. We are delighted that Billy’s bespoke items will reach UK customers through size? and that size? bespoke colours will reach Japanese customers through us. We believe that we can leave an impact on the sneaker scene in both regions.”

Do you think there are any major differences in the way that we’ll both approach the storytelling side of things when it comes to the final colourways on each shoe?

Luke Matthews: “Definitely! And that’s what makes the project so exciting and engaging. It’s much closer to home for the Billy’s team whereas our reference points are slightly different – and we really wanted to still have a subtle nod to our perspective and lens when it comes to the storytelling too. For Sapporo, we referenced the 2002 World Cup ball: the iconic adidas Fevernova. But it was one particular moment in which the idea was born; David Beckham scored his penalty against Argentina in the Sapporo Dome during the competition.”

Billy’s: “There are differences. Unlike from the size? perspective, Sapporo is a familiar city to us. We understood that there would be a discrepancy between the public image of Sapporo and our upbringing in Japan. We then tried to create a straightforward image that would appeal to customers from overseas, but would also be easy for Japanese people to imagine. Our colouring was inspired by whisky, which originated in the UK and is famous in Sapporo in Japan, and we used different materials to represent whisky barrels. We believe that whisky and this project are similar in the sense that UK has a deep history and culture, while Japan can express itself freely and has a completely different taste, even though they are the same thing.”

Why do you think this collection will be so important in adding to the heritage of the famed City Series?

Luke Matthews: “Because it’s something completely new and original. Over the years we’ve been lucky enough to work on some of the most iconic and famous models from the archive – and this comes with an added pressure, creating something to sit within such a rich lineage with such legacy. For this project, it almost comes with an added pressure having to create something new. An OG.”

Billy’s: “Because we can work on a completely new sneaker with the theme of “Japanese cities”. As I have said before, I don’t think Japan has the deep history and background with adidas and sneakers as the UK has, which is why it is important and an honour for me to be able to create something uniquely Japanese with a certain degree of freedom.”

How does the culture surrounding these kinds of terrace silhouettes vary between the UK and Japan?

Luke Matthews: “In some ways very little and that’s what makes projects like this so enjoyable. The language of collecting footwear and in particular terrace models transcends countries and boundaries and that universal language is something that makes the community so special and loyal.”

Billy’s: “I don’t think there is any difference in the popularity of the Terrace series in the scene at the moment, but as I mentioned earlier, there are differences in the history and background of the base, and I think there are differences in the level of understanding and acceptance by customers. In terms of current popularity, it was unthinkable five or six years ago, and I have a lot of respect for size?’s attitude towards sneaker culture, which has supported this silhouette ever since then.”

What are some of the key similarities between size? and Billy’s and our passion for adidas product?

Luke Matthews: “We’ve always looked really fondly over at Billy’s projects for years; we especially love the way they look at applying materials to their products. You can tell they sit and really finesse every single detail the same way we do and it’s that constant discovery of finding something new and original for the first time is what makes those guys the perfect partner and collaborator to work alongside us for such a series.”

Billy’s: “We share the common ground that the Terrace series has been developed for a long time and the sincere approach to the customer. Especially when it comes to the approach to the customer, promotions for collectors who have loved adidas for a long time and for those who can trace the history of football and sport are inspiring for us, and make us think that we have to do something that is only possible in Japan.”

How would you like this partnership to develop over the course of time with each release we put out?

Luke Matthews: “I think back to that point of legacy and lineage, we want something that continues to grow and build on the foundations of this first release. Ultimately this is a longstanding programme and something we almost work backwards on, imagining what a collection of Japan City Series could look like displayed in 10 years time.”

Billy’s: “When I visited adidas HQ, I was happy to hear the people in my home country say, ‘Let’s make this a collection that will still be reissued in 10 years’ time’, and I hope we can actually become such a collection. As well as the immediate future, I think this is a partnership that we can look forward to in five to ten years’ time.”

Any hints as to which city people can look forward to seeing next?

Luke Matthews: “Where would the fun be in that? We love the old school, analogue nature of rumours and forums and long may that continue.”

Billy’s: “The next city will have more historical background for both Japanese and foreign visitors.
I hope you can look forward to seeing not only the products but also the creativity.”

The adidas Originals x size? x Billy’s ‘Japan City Series’ Sapporo releases in June. Which pair will you be picking up?