Fashion Fridays: Adidas Originals’ Trinidad Trainers

Words by Marcha M. Johnson

In the second round of their revival of their 1980s-era Island Series collection, Adidas Originals has released the Trinidad silhouette. The design, which features a bright orange suede upper, black indoor sole unit and a natural gum outsole, follows re-issues of the brand’s Jamaica and Cancun models earlier this fall, and a spring/summer run of Hawaii, Samoa and Tahiti models, each of which draws inspiration from the cultures of their island namesakes.

The re-visitation of the series has been met with mostly positive feedback, but has at least one prominent critic. Trinidad and Tobago’s newly-sworn in Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, criticized Adidas’ failure to acknowledge that Trinidad is indeed part of a two-island republic, with the tongue of that model simply reading “Trinidad.” (Rowley hails from Tobago).

Nonetheless, the tropical-themed shoes offer one way to cope with the cooling temperatures ahead — especially for the avid sneakerhead who also considers their footwear an ideal means to pay homage to cultures around the world.