Unheardof's adidas Rivalry Low Erika's Poem Tributes Its Founder's Late Sister

Published June 6, 2023

Unheardof, the Cincinnati-based sneaker boutique known for its one-of-a-kind collaborations, is teaming up with adidas for a heartfelt tribute to a life lost too soon. Philip Lipschutz, Unheardof's founder, has curated the adidas Rivalry Low "Erika's Poem." This special edition pays homage to Lipschutz's late sister, Erika, who tragically took her life at 16.

The heartfelt tribute comes to life through a fusion of color, design, and symbolism. The Unheardof x adidas Rivalry Low Erika's Poem features a rich red suede upper punctuated by blue panels. Erika's poems grace the toebox, midfoot, and collar, bringing a deeply personal touch to the design. A red tongue highlights the cream laces and vibrant orange tongue tag, while yellow stitching and a two-tone red and white finish adorn the sole unit. The gum-finished outsole rounds off this exceptional design.

The box that houses the sneaker takes inspiration from a cassette tape, nodding to Erika Lipschutz's favorite bands, No Doubt and Postal Service. Erika's poems, stickers, lace charms, a pen, and four sets of laces are enclosed in this packaging. Including a fly design on the hang tag and its embroidery onto the shoe is a subtle reference to No Doubt's album "Tragic Kingdom," one of Erika's favorites.

The Unheardof x adidas Rivalry Low Erika's Poem will release June 10 exclusively through a pop-up at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center and online through the brand's website. The in-person release will feature 500 pairs of orange boxes, while the online drop will have 500 pairs of blue boxes. Coming in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $165. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.