Pharrell Williams is not only a talented musician, producer, and entrepreneur, but also a fashion icon who has collaborated with adidas Originals on his signature sneaker line: the Human Race. The Human Race is a collection of shoes that celebrate the diversity and creativity of humanity, inspired by Pharrell’s vision of connecting people through love, passion, and energy. In this blog post, we will take a look at how Pharrell’s adidas NMD Human Race line has evolved over the years, from its debut in 2016 to its latest release in 2023.
The first adidas NMD Human Race shoe was launched in July 2016, featuring a PrimeKnit upper with bold embroidered words such as “Human” and “Race” in different languages. The shoe also had a unique lacing system that wrapped around the ankle, a Boost midsole for cushioning, and colorful rubber outsoles for traction. The shoe was available in five colorways: yellow, black, red, green, and blue1. Pharrell wore the yellow pair during his performance at the 2016 ComplexCon festival, sparking a lot of hype and demand for the shoe.
Since then, Pharrell and adidas have released several variations of the NMD Human Race shoe, each with its own theme and design. Some of the notable examples are the Holi Festival pack in 2018, which featured tie-dye patterns inspired by the Hindu festival of colors2; the Inspiration pack in 2018, which had colorful African motifs and Chinese characters on the upper3; and the Solar pack in 2018, which drew inspiration from East African culture and featured tribal graphics and Swahili phrases on the upper. Pharrell also collaborated with other brands and artists such as Chanel, N.E.R.D., Billionaire Boys Club, and Human Made on exclusive versions of the NMD Human Race shoe.
The latest iteration of the NMD Human Race shoe is the S1 MAHBS, which debuted in January 2023. The S1 MAHBS stands for “Mobility And Humanrace Branding System”, and it features a canvas upper with oversized Humanrace branding on the side panels. The shoe also has a new outsole design that resembles a Trefoil logo, as well as a sock-like collar for a snug fit. The shoe comes in an oatmeal colorway with blue accents on the heel and laces. According to Pharrell, the S1 MAHBS is a way of expressing his love for humanity and positive propaganda.
Pharrell’s adidas NMD Human Race line is more than just a sneaker collection; it is a reflection of his philosophy and vision of celebrating diversity, creativity, and positivity. The shoes are not only stylish and comfortable, but also meaningful and inspiring. As Pharrell said in an interview with Hypebeast: “I want to make things that make people feel good about themselves.”
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