Jovani Hernandez The adidas Samba continues to dominate sneaker wish-lists everywhere, delivering a classic, versatile aesthetic. With its eyelets set on having a stellar 2024, the decades-old silhouette has dressed up in “Better Scarlet” and “Preloved Brown” outfits as nods to the traditional Korean dance, Talchum.
To the uninformed, Talchum (탈춤) is a dance historically performed while wearing a mask, often involving singing. Today, the term is used to encompass all mask-dance dramas from Korea, but originally applied only to dances of Hwanghae Province in present-day North Korea. Dances follow a number of narratives – including exorcism rites and conflicts between working class and the elite – with masks depicting a number of figures pertinent for a drama’s respective plot. adidas Originals‘ newly-surfaced duo, then, is a playful marriage between Korean tradition and the Samba’s origins. Ahead of the 1950 World Cup, the Three Stripes debuted the low-top football shoe in Brazil with its name drawing inspiration from a high-energy dance and music genre from the South American country.
Each adidas Samba “Talchum” favors a mostly-tonal style. Suede construction across the upper keeps things elevated, while golden “Samba” text on the lateral mid-foot also serves a luxe touch. Embroidered mask graphics land on the lateral heel, helping bring together the cultural theme. The remainder of the shoe is kept traditional, with sole units underfoot opting for their iconic semi-translucent, gum finish.
Enjoy official photos of the duo ahead. Currently, the “Talchum” Sambas are available via adidas.com and select shops overseas. A stateside launch could take place at some point, but it’s unlikely.
For more sneaker news, check out the adidas AE1, Anthony Edwards’ debut signature shoe.
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- adidas Samba “Talchum” (Better Scarlet). adidas
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- adidas Samba “Talchum” (Brown). adidas
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- adidas Samba. adidas
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