Gathering 22 of the world’s key retailers, from streetwear stores to high end boutiques – all with their own individual vision concerning design and style – the aZX project comprises an open brief for limited-edition release collaborations to run alongside classic adidas ZX running shoe designs.

The logical conclusion to the aZX concept is to take the project and alphabet full circle by celebrating it with the two minds behind the adidas ZX legacy.

Jacques Chassaing and Markus Thaler, have played unique roles in the birth and ongoing love affair that shoe connoisseurs have with our brand and the ZX running collection both past and present, Jacques is one of the famous adi designers responsible for many iconic adidas styles including all the ZX designs, while Markus was the shoe craftsman who brought all the iconic and timeless shoes to life.

Jacques began his shoe making and designing career in the early 1970’s, being a key member of adidas France from its inception in 1981 and progressing to his current role as Design Concepts Director.

Markus started his career with adidas back in early 70’s working alongside Adi Dassler, learning from the master himself and continuing adi’s craftsmanship legacy in the creation of some of the most famous styles, more recently playing a leading role in the development of the Equipment and Torsion-bar ranges.

Both men are constantly striving to improve and innovate, and the finale of the AZX collection offers a rare opportunity for these pioneers to revisit the much-revered ZX 8000 silhouette and create a handmade interpretation of the design that embellishes the shoe’s key elements using the finest, most cutting edge materials and applications.

There couldn’t be a more appropriate conclusion to a celebration of a seminal running shoe on a grand scale as the original collaborators return to the iconic source material once again with the legendary stripes, lines and panels revisited, and the ZX truly redefined.

The ZX 8000, which makes up the Z and X in the alphabet of the collaboration series, will be released in very limited quantities. Each consortium retail partner will receive only one (1) pair of the sneaker and can choose how to give them away. Wood Wood for example chose to make a competition and ask people to create their own alphabet. Check that out here.

Now head on after the jump, to see lots of detailed images of the adidas “Jacques Chassaing & Markus Thaler” ZX 8000.

Adidas usually does not communicate very much the designers behind their product, unless we are speaking about a high profile collaboration, like we have seen recently with Jeremy Scott. The adidas aZX range has been keeping us busy for a while now and some incredible product resulted in the collection.

Here we present you now an interview with Jacques Chassaing and Markus Thaler, the designers and pattern makers of the adidas ZX range. It’s very interesting getting some background on the design, as well as the construction of the range.

Towards the end of the movie, the two talk about the last two models to be released in the aZX range, the Z and the X, which have been hand made by th team of Markus and imagined by Markus and Jacques together. Make sure to check it out!

As most of you should know by now the last drop of the adidas aZX collection is dropping October 18th. The letter “T” was taken by Crooked Tongues and they worked on the top of the line adidas ZX 9000. For their shoe they made a commcerical. Check it out here above!

Interesting news come once again from the Adidas aZX collection. The letter Y will be given away in a contest entitled “Y Is For You”. Anybody can send in a design of the ZX 700. A winning design will be chosen and the winner receives ten pairs of the sneakers, 1000 Euros and full credit of the artwork upon distribution of the sneaker to worldwide dealers.

You can participate right here.

The Patta crew has produced three new Patta logo t-shirts to go with the upcoming second round Adidas aZX release on September 20th. They are high quality cotton Rockwell t-shirts with a simple design featuring their signature Patta script logo on
matching color body’s. Available colors are purple, white and teal.

In addition they also produced a little promotional video with a shout from friend and rap artist Saigon whose song ‘Letter P’ embodies their letter P position in the Adidas aZX project. Check that out here below.

When we presented you yesterday the letters I to P of the Adidas aZX project, you might have realized that unlike in the first group there were only six shoes, instead of eight, and that in fact two letters were missing in the presentation – the I and the O. Well, those we will present you exclusively here, starting with the I-Store ZX 700 in the previous post, and here we present you now the O-Store ZX 700.
A fresh take on the ZX 700, as adidas O-Stores take the ‘O’ alphabet position, this variation moves this running standard off-road. A brown upper mixes mesh with premium leather and blends brown with a bright pink for deeply effective results. Altering the panels, offering a reflective pink underlay beneath the toebox and stitching the stripes, the rugged look is amplified by the hiking laces and eyelet applications, incorporating metal hooks and d-rings. Finished with an additional fold-down, Velcro-fastening heel tab, this is a drastic but innovative variation on a classic.
The O-Store ZX 700 will be exclusively available at Adidas Original Stores.
More detailed images of the Adidas O-Store ZX 700 follow after the jump.

When we presented you yesterday the letters I to P of the Adidas aZX project, you might have realized that unlike in the first group there were only six shoes, instead of eight, and that in fact two letters were missing in the presentation – the I and the O. Well, those we will present you exclusively here, starting with the I, which stands for the Adidas I-Stores.
Taking the ZX 700 silhouette and reworking the upper slickly, the I-Store version takes the letter ‘I’ and mixes bold colours with muted shades and premium leather applications to give it a completely different look that amplifies the original design’s high points with fresh details like the orange ghilly fastening and ribbed panel on the forefoot. A dose of green makes for a striking look, while the suede tongue detailing and simple but effective split heel panel application, decorated with 6 (London) and 74 (Berlin) to represent the selected adidas store locations completes a memorable makeover.
This shoe will only be available at the Adidas Icon stores in London and Berlin, also called No. 6 and No. 74.
Many more detailed images of the Adidas ZX 700 I-Store after the jump.

After presenting you yesterday the complete second group of the Adidas aZX series, we give you a closer look today at the most exciting shoe in the line-up – the Neighborhood x Adidas ZX 700 Boat.
"Drawing influences from Tokyo’s iconic and eclectic styles, the ZX 700 seen here combines many of Neighborhood’s influences. Using their symbolic yet effective black/white color choices, Neighborhood applies many subtle details to complete the whole package. The rugged waxed leather upper features a diamond motif on the collar, an ‘N’ stitch application and the popular Neighborhood skull & sword logo." Via Hypebeast.
Have a more detailed look at the Neighborhood x Adidas ZX 700 Boat after the jump.

The group one of the Adidas aZX collection, consisting of collaborations with stand-out boutiques and brands from around the globe, just released this past Friday. Thanks to LaMJC we can already today give you a look at the next drop, the letters I-P.
In this release you will find collaborations with Kendo, Neighborhood, Just Be, Livestock, Major and Patta. As you can see, lots of high profile collaborations are also part of this release. The most hyped item will most likely be the Neighborhood ZX 700 boat shoe, judging from the hysteria previous Adidas x Neighborhood releases created.
Check out more detailed images of the entire drop after the jump.

A while ago we presented you the first letters out of the Adidas aZX collaboration series. Yesterday we showed you the goodies that Huf released today along with their Adidas ZX 500. Now we take a look at the goodies that come with the Goodfoot x Adidas ZX 8000.
The Canadian camp has also, just like Huf, made some 5-panel caps, a small booklet, as well as gorcery/shoe tote bag. Just like their Adidas ZX 8000, these goods are also all about sustainability. The booklet was printed on 100% recycled paper, the tote bag and the 5-panel caps are made of 100% Canadian hemp. We like the strict message communicated through out the Goodfoot pack. Pics via Matt George.
After the jump you can have a detailed look at the booklet and the tote bag.