Diadora continues to gain ground through its carefully considered releases of classic runner silhouettes – an approach so successful it helped place the heritage Italian sports label as last year's third best breakthrough streetwear brand, according to Highsnobiety readers.
For the first time, Diadora's N9000 "Made In Italy" goes on general release, with Italy's Suede Store one of the selected retailers for the premium iteration of the signature '90s runner. What marks this release out from the others, however, is the fact these Italian-made editions were previously only available at select sneaker outlets, and normally as distinct collaborations between the label and the store (as is normal).
That this current drop is going on wider release could suggest a number of things: one, that the label is confident enough – and has enough capital behind it – to allow such a sneaker to have a broader release. Because, being made in the label's heartland, the shoes naturally carry a higher production cost.
For the SS16 "Made In Italy" release, Diadora present a series of new colorways that draw on styles from three iconic models in the archives – early N9000s, the B.Elite, as well as the S8000. The N9000 "Made In Italy" SS16 pack drops February 5.