Source: adidas Originals NMD Apparel FW17
I know the title suggests that NMD isn’t a part of adidas Originals. I need to clarify a bit. adidas will begin to create apparel that carries the familiar style of the NMD. The NMD has become one of adidas’ top selling shoes and since the model really isn’t a performance shoe, it caters to fashion and comfort. Right now styling for the NMD ranges from joggers to denim, all with elements of trendy styling options, but those items being styled are not from the Three Stripes.
adidas had been creating retro tracksuits to pair with the shoes. However in Foot Locker and Finishline locations there weren’t really options that allowed for a complete head to toe look for the NMD. This fall that changes and with the release of the FW 2017 apparel lineup from the three stripes NMD will become a brand that may function like ACG for Nike, or on a bigger scale NMD will become like Jordan Brand with gear that arrives and matches the varied releases.
The question now becomes can NMD carry the weight of an entire apparel and footwear line? There has been a multitude of colorways released by adidas. Unlike Nike’s failure with Roshe, adidas at least diversified the release of the NMD with an introduction to the CS2, R2, and XR1 versions. NMD as apparel and accessories takes the familiar and expands it into a bigger option for brick and mortar to pair with the growing wall space adidas is garnering.
This is a smart move for the Three Stripes as Nike decides to experiment with Amazon they are leaving an opening for adidas to approach retail stores and pull away from the racks of Jordan and Nike apparel stores are inundated with. I think it’s a smart idea and the apparel, unlike UAS, seems to be integrated into the brand for a line that is performing well already. It’s not an isolated sportswear/athleisure play. You can use the source link to check out a ton of pictures of the new line from adidas.