Adidas Originals is proud to announce the reissue of the "C-U-Lator" from Adidas, which was created in 1995. Ahead of the reissue, a special-order model will be released by "mita sneakers," a member of the "Consortium," a global project of "adidas. What kind of sneaker is the "C-U-Lator"? What kind of sneaker is the "C-U-LATER" and where did its unusual name come from? We asked two key persons involved in the reissue and special order of this model. This time, we will be bringing you a special bilingual edition in English and Japanese.
Introduced in 1995, Seeulater by adidas is in line to be re-issued by adidas Originals. In anticipation, mita sneakers, a member of adidas' global "Consortium" project, will introduce their own re-work model. We delve into the details with two key persons involved in the reissue and custom re-works of this model.
Left: Eiyuki Kunii / Creative Director of "mita sneakers
Right: Tsutomu Takahashi /Design Director, adidas Originals
Left: Shigeyuki Kunii.Creative Director, mita sneakers.
Right: Tsutomu Takahashi. Design Director, adidas Originals
The back is the original from 1995. In the front is the reissued version. adidas Originals "Sea Ulator" ¥19,900 +TAX *October 2016 release The 1995 originals in the back, and the current re-issued model in the front.
adidas Originals, Seeulater. ¥19,990+Tax. *Released October 2016.
Originally created in 1995, these high-performance trail-running shoes are now available in a variety of colors and sizes.
First of all, I would like to ask you what kind of sneaker is the "C-U-Lator"?
Takahashi:The "C-U-Lator" was created in 1995 as a trail running shoe. It features a uniquely shaped outsole for running on rough terrain and a bootie upper that prevents water and pebbles from entering the shoe.
Introduced in 1995 originally as a high function trail running shoe.
-The first thing I want to ask is, what kind of sneakers are Seeulaters exactly?
Takahashi: I'm sorry. The unique form of the outer sole was made with rough terrain adaptability in mind, and its booty structure, designed prevent water and small stones coming in, were its characteristics. The unique form of the outer sole was made with rough terrain adaptability in mind, and its booty structure, designed to prevent water and small stones coming in, were its characteristics.
Kunii:For me, this is one of the sneakers I miss. The logo on the side of the upper is now called the performance logo, but back then it was called the equipment logo.
Kunii:. For me, they're a pair of sneakers I remember fondly. the logo you see on the upper, which is now known as the performance logo, used to be called The logo you see on the upper, which is now known as the performance logo, used to be called the equipment logo.
Kunii:Adidas also has the Adidas Originals trefoil logo, but I personally find the equipment logo to be the most realistic and exciting. At the time, models with this logo were the top-of-the-line models in their respective categories.
This "C-U-Lator" was also the top-of-the-line model in the outdoor category at the time, and was also popular for street wear. I believe that its original design has not faded away at all even if you look at it now.
-. How did you come up with the idea of reissuing this model?
Takahashi:The "C-U-Lator" is more popular among Japanese sneaker fans than overseas, and we had hoped to reissue it someday. And with the recent boom in 90's sneakers and the outdoor trend in fashion, we decided to reissue them.
In fact, in 2012, adidas released a version of the "C-U-Lator" once in the "adidas Originals Blue Collection," a casual line that specializes in functionality and high fashion.
Kunii:.adidas has other logos, like the adidas Originals trefoil logo, but I personally find the equipment logo illustrates the most reality, I get excited when I see it. At the time, the logo acted as an indicator, any product with it meant it was the highest quality model in that particular product category.
Takahashi: I'm sorry.So, Seeulater was its top of the line model within the outdoor category at that time, and had tremendous popularity as an everyday shoe as well. Even now, I think you can see that the innovative design doesn't look outdated at all.
-Can you tell me about how the reissue of this model came about.
Takahashi: I'm sorry. Seeulater was a popular model amongst Japanese sneaker fans, more so than internationally, and I was waiting for the right opportunity to reissue them at some point. With trends shifting ever more towards '90s sneakers, as well as the growing outdoor trend in fashion, it seemed like the right time to take a leap with the reissue. With trends shifting ever more towards '90s sneakers, as well as the growing outdoor trend in fashion, it seemed like the right time to take a leap with the reissue.
In fact, once back in 2012, we released an alternate version of Seeulater through the adidas Originals Blue Collection, which was a casual line dedicated to the combination of functionality and high quality fashion product. In addition, we released an alternate version of Seeulater through the adidas Originals Blue Collection, which was a casual line dedicated to the combination of functionality and high quality fashion product.
Arranged version of "C-U-Later" released in 2012 (reference product)
Alternate version of the Seeulater released in 2012. (Reference product)
Takahashi:This was well received, but I am not sure if the core sneaker fans in Japan were satisfied with the ....... This reissue is a complete reissue, faithfully reproducing the colors and details, so I think it will satisfy those who know about those days.
Takahashi: I'm sorry. It was well received in its own right, but I'm not sure if the true sneaker fan contingent were really satisfied... Where as with the current reissue, it's a full re-work from the colouring to the finer details, so I'm sure fans who know the originals will be Where as with the current reissue, it's a full re-work from the coloring to the finer details, so I'm sure fans who know the originals will be satisfied. I'm sure fans who know the originals will be satisfied.
, the origin of the unique name "Sea-Ulator", which is now revealed.
-By the way, where did the model name "C-U-Later" come from?
Takahashi:. comes from the parting greeting "See you later. But why "See you later." in a trail running shoe? I asked Paul Gaudio, ( and now Senior Vice President of Creative Direction for the adidas brand, ), the designer who developed this model at the time, and he told me that it was to express the sense of speed in trail running. . He told me that the idea was to express the feeling of speed in trail running. When you are running on the trail and pass your friends, you say, "See you later!
"Seeulater," revealing the origins of its unique name.
-By the way, where does the name of the model, Seeulater, come from?
Takahashi: I'm sorry. It comes from the parting greeting of 'See you later. Wondering why this was, I asked Paul Gaudio (current SVP Creative Director) who was involved in product development at that time, who said the reasoning behind it was to portray the sense of speed involved in trail running. He said, that's what you would say to your friend when you're overtaking. He said, that's what you would say to your friend when you're overtaking them on the trail, 'See you later!
Kunii:Come to think of it, there was also a low-cut version of the model named "See ya" at the same time. So that's what it means, too.
And I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but the "Rivaderci" in Nike's "Air Rivaderci" comes from the Italian word "Arrivederci," which means "good-bye" or "see you later.
-Heh, I see!
Kunii:. I also remember they had a low cut model called 'See ya' around the same time. So that was made in the same vein I guess.
Also, I'm not sure if it was a coincidence, but apparently the revarderchi in NIke's Air Revarderchi was taken from the Italian word for goodbye, Arrivederci. Also I am not sure if it was a coincidence, but apparently the revarderchi in NIke's Air Revarderchi was taken from the Italian word for goodbye, Arrivederci.
-Oh really!
A collaborative model with "MITA Sneakers". What is the concept?
-Can you tell us how the "Consortium" decided to release a collaborative model with "MITASSEE CARS" prior to the reissue of the original?
The collaboration model with mita sneakers. what was the concept?
-Can you tell me what led to the decision of releasing the collaboration model, with mita Sneakers, from Consortium in anticipation of the reissue.
Adidas Originals "C-U-Lator "mita sneakers" "Consortium Tour"" ¥20,000 +TAX *Pre-sale at "mita sneakers" on October 1, 2016. Then on sale at Consortium partner stores from October 8.
adidas Originals Seeulater "mita sneakers" "Consortium Tour". ¥20,000+Tax. *Initial release from mita sneakers on 1st October 2016 and sold at Consortium partner stores from 8th October.
Takahashi:Kunii and I often talked about how great 90's sneakers were, and I had heard that he had a special feeling for "C-U-Lator," so he was the first person I approached when we started this project.
Kunii:. When I was approached by Tsutomu, I gave him my blessing and said yes.
-. What is the concept behind this collaborative model?
Kunii:This arrangement was inspired by the "Ueno/Ameyoko" area, which was lined with mountaineering and ski equipment stores in the 80's and 90's , and was inspired by imported outdoor gear.
Japanese people are good at interpreting foreign food and arranging it in their own way. For example, they put mentaiko (cod roe) in pasta, which is originally an Italian ingredient, and created their own unique dish called mentaiko spaghetti.
I like this aspect of Japanese people very much, and for this arrangement, I adopted a coloring for the upper that was inspired by the unique Japanese interpretation of outdoor gear, which makes gear that is over-specified for urban life into street wear.
In addition, while there are no real outdoor fields in Ueno and other downtown areas, there are Japanese gardens and parks scattered throughout the area where people can casually enjoy nature. The sole unit for this project was inspired by the karesansui garden stones found in such Japanese gardens.
Takahashi: I'm sorry. I'd had conversations with Kunii before about our mutual appreciation for '90s sneakers, plus, I knew he had a soft spot for Seeulater, so I approached him right away at the very beginning of the project.
Kunii:. And when Tsutomu spoke to me about the project, it was an immediate yes on my part.
-Can you expand on the concept behind this collaboration.
Kunii:. The concept for the re-work stems from the area of Ueno and Ameyoko in Tokyo, where during the '80s and '90s, you saw the spread of mountain and ski gear stores, so the inspiration also came from imported outdoor gear. mountain and ski gear stores, so the inspiration also came from imported outdoor gear.
Japanese people are quite accomplished at taking something from overseas and rearranging them through our own interpretation. 13Tmarinated cod roe) to pasta, of course from Italy, and making an entirely new dish such as mentaiko spaghetti, for example.
I admire this aspect of the Japanese people very much, so with regards to this re-work, I took inspiration for the coloring of the upper from those Japanese people you see around wearing over-the-top functional gear for daily city living, and their distinctly Japanese interpretation of outdoor gear.
And although there are no actual outdoor fields to roam in Ueno and the surrounding downtown areas, there are Japanese gardens and parks dotted around for a casual break and stroll. The sole unit for this model is inspired from garden stones found in those Japanese dry landscape gardens.
A completely new interpretation is only possible because you know the original.
. - Looking at the finished model, the color arrangement gives it a completely different look from the original.
Takahashi:When Kunii-san first showed me the design proposal and told me about the concept, I thought it was a very "Mitasneakers" style and Kunii's typical arrangement. The fact that he knows the original is what makes it possible to interpret it in a completely different way. I am glad that we asked Kunii to do this, and the German team is also pleased.
Completely new interpretations are down to the familiarity of the originals.
-Compared to the originals, when you look at the finished re-work, you can see how the color arrangement completely changes its impression. .
Takahashi: I'm sorry. When Kunii first explained his concept while showing me his design ideas, they spoke out to me as a very mita sneakers, very Kunii arrangements. I'm glad I asked Kunii to come on board, and the team in back in Germany was also very pleased. I think he was able to come up with completely fresh interpretations because of his familiarity with the originals.
Kunii:For me, knowing the original, there was also the difficulty of breaking it. To be honest, if I were asked which I like better, the original or this collaboration model, I personally prefer the original. The original is that much more complete.
However, for this collaboration, I was conscious of Tokyoizing the collaboration to fit the current sense of the times. There is absolutely no need to impose my personal values on the people of today.
Kunii:. For me, it's precisely this familiarity, which also brought obstacles in how to reinterpret them. Being totally honest, if I' That's how well perfected the originals are. That's how well perfected the originals are.
But I would say, for this collaboration I was conscious of updating it to match the modern era by Tokyonising it if you like. 's absolutely no reason I should force my personal taste on to the general public.
Adidas' outdoor wear is a category to keep an eye on.
-What kind of people would you like this collaboration model to attract?
Takahashi:I hope that people who know the original at the time, as well as the younger generation who do not know the original in real time, will wear them. In the future, "Hike" and "White Mountaineering" are planning to release arranged versions using the "Sea Ureiter" touring, so I hope that people will keep an eye out for them.
Kunii:What I always say is that it is meaningless to sell only collaborations and special orders if the inline models do not sell. Through this collaboration, I hope that many people will learn about the appeal of the C-U-Leiter model, and I also hope that this will be a good opportunity for people to pay attention to other models in the outdoor category of "adidas. Recently, adidas has been releasing many attractive models in the outdoor category, not only in the Originals category but also in the performance category.
adidas' outdoor category is one to keep a close eye on.
-What kind of people would you like this collaboration model to appeal to?
Takahashi: I'm sorry. For those who remember the original model of course, but it would also be great to see the younger generation who didn't experience the We are planning to release alternate versions with a touring element from labels such as HYKE and White Mountaineering as well, so please keep your eyes peeled for those too.
Kunii:. I always say there is little point if only the collaboration or custom lines sell well in comparison to the source line. So, through this collaboration, I would like for more people to become aware of the appeal of Seeulater, but also for other models in the outdoor category of adidas to gain further attention There are so many great products released not only from Originals, but from the performance and outdoor categories that are well worth checking out. There are so many great products released not only from Originals, but from the performance and outdoor categories that are well worth checking out.
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