Andrew Rizzo Leave the gun, take the cannoli sneakers. New York City streetwear chain Asphalt, born in Staten Island where the Italian bakeries run deep, is linking with adidas for a Samba collaboration inspired by one of the city’s most beloved desserts. The release, limited to just 600 units, coincides with lower Manhattan’s annual Feast of San Gennaro, an always popping week-long happening that drives Italians of all creeds to one of the city’s most iconic immigrant enclaves.
In a word, these joints are sweet. The upper is made entirely of patent leather, led by golden wheat-colored hits on the toe and backtab to symbolize the cannoli’s fried pastry shell. The foundation, meanwhile, lands in brown for the chocolate chips and/or the chocolate coating that paints some specialty pastries. Pink stripes add a nice pop, inspired by colorful pastry counters in general, while three interchangeable tongue covers in pink, wheat, and brown are included. The cannoli itself appears in two places, first as a gold lace dubrae and then in graphic form on the insoles. The creamy cheese filling itself is represented by off-white inner lining.
“So much of what makes New York special comes from the things we grow up seeing every day,” says Jadah Orilus, Operations Manager & Buyer at Asphalt NYC. “The neighborhood bakery, grabbing a box of pastries for family, knowing exactly which spot has your favorite cannoli or rainbow cookie. We wanted to take something that feels familiar to so many New Yorkers and translate it through an Asphalt lens. The result is playful and nostalgic, but still leaves room for everyone to make it their own.”
The Asphalt x adidas Samba “Cannoli” releases via all Asphalt locations and online beginning at 10:00 AM EST on September 25th, priced at $130. Each of the 600 pairs is individually numbered via stitching on the interior. Check out detailed images below if you’re considering copping.
