Donald Glover & adidas Release a Series of Short Films Around New Line of Distressed Shoes

Glover wants you to dirty up your shoes.

On Wednesday, April 17th, Donald Glover and adidas held an experiential adventure in Los Angeles. The night began when I was shuttled to a mysterious location in the Silver Lake section of LA. As we entered the van, each passenger received a patch with a different quote on it. Each quote representing something important to Donald and his creative collective ROYALTY.

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Mine read: “What’s a leader if they aren’t reluctant?”

We arrived at a stunning house where we were prompted to change into new shoes, Donald Glover’s first collaborative project with adidas. There are a few different styles: Continental 80 and Nizza and Lacombe. But all are off-white, with minimal design.

In a press release, Donald Glover talked about the shoe:

With this project, I wanted to encourage people to think about how their stories can be told on their feet. Value isn’t quantified by what you wear, rather the experiences from them. And you make the decision on what works for you, you live through your own lens. The partnership for me is about being able to exemplify what doing your own thing truly looks and feels like.

Soon after, a tour of the house began, orchestrated by Glover and the same creative collective behind Atlanta. Every room had a visual to match, short films starring Donald and Mo’Nique. From smokey floors, to a tea room, the studio of a painter, to a kitchen dishing out cornbread to guests, every room engaged your senses, and elements that encouraged you to dirty your sneakers, really wear them.

The night ended with Donald and the members of his team, Fam Rothstein, Ibra Ake, Stephen Glover, and Jamal Olori aka Swank, answering questions from the audience and have a discussion aimed at dropping advice and knowledge for some young students in attendance.

As for that quote… “What’s a leader if they aren’t reluctant?”

The team says it’s about making sure your making decisions true to yourself, following your code, thinking about your steps. Ibra Ake says, “It’s important to meditate on what you’re trying to do, and just be thoughtful and be kind and considerate.”

Check out the Donald Glover Presents short films below.