An immense tri-branded collaboration has been unveiled. German sportswear giant adidas partners with legendary superhero creators Marvel and global retailer size? to present a three-shoe collection that centers around one of the most well-known characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and comic books, Dr. Strange.
Utilizing the Gazelle Indoor, Handball Spezial, and New York models, the creative force behind this project has focused on the three Sanctum Sanctorum, the sanctuaries of the Masters of the Mythic Arts, with each located in London, Hong Kong, and New York. Fans of the MCU will be well aware of what that all meant, but for those who don't, it is where the safehouses are of some powerful wizards that feature in some of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
With each pair having unique differences corresponding to each location, the Gazelle Indoor represents the London Sanctum, seen in Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Inspiration for the tonal color scheme comes from the outward appearance of the building, with a green suede base overlaid with silver Three Stripes along the midfoot, the T-style toebox, eyestay, and back heel tab. Cream laces and a dark gum sole underfoot complete the look.
A dark blue suede upper is utilized for the base of the Handball Spezial that represents the Hong Kong Sanctum. Contrasted by muted pink Three Stripes and sky blue heel tabs, the primary color of the upper, navy blue, is pulled from the buildings' appearance in the movies. This full suede design sits atop a black rubber sole.
Rounding out the collection, the New York represents the New York Sanctum. First introduced in 1963 as the home of Dr. Stephen Strange, 177A Bleecker Street is the most famous Sanctum, as it appears in at least five of the MCU films, with countless other appearances in TV series, games, comics, and novels. A golden brown mesh base is overlaid with vibrant yellow suede at the toe, midfoot, and heel. Muted green Three Stripes branding along the sides is outlined in white, with white leather used for the lace stay and heel tab, which also includes another hit of the muted green. Underfoot, the iconic Dellinger web is visible along the midsole, golden brown against a white EVA foam backdrop, while a light-colored gum rubber outsole finishes the aesthetic.
All three pairs have signature 'portal window' insignia debossed with gold foil on the heel tabs, each corresponding to their respective Sanctum. Custom, dual-branded tongue logos also appear on all three pairs. Each pair also arrives with bespoke graphics created by talented Hong Kong artist Cassidy Ontung. The graphics feature locations as seen in the mirror dimension. They appear on the insoles, and each pair comes wrapped in paper that carries the graphic of that shoe's Sanctum.
The Marvel x adidas Dr. Strange Trilogy Collection is set to release in 2024, exclusively at size? in-store and online. Coming in men's sizing, retail is TBA. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via size?
Marvel x adidas Gazelle Indoor Dr. Strange London Sanctum
Marvel x adidas Handball Spezial Dr. Strange Hong Kong Sanctum
Marvel x adidas New York Dr. Strange New York Sanctum
In this article
Craig Bell happily talks about sneakers or as he calls them "trainers" every day of the year. An avid Bradford City fan, he's also a big supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. He will forever profess that Cricket is better than Baseball and that Rugby League is better then Rugby Union. Among his many hot takes, he believes the adidas ZX range is the pinnacle of sneaker design.
