Once again adidas Originals chooses Wales Bonner for a collaboration dedicated to spring/summer 2021. After being previewed during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in September 2020, Essence, the name of the co-lab, explores the origins of early 1980s dancehall music in Jamaica. Following the footsteps of the first collection, where the young designer – born in 1992, winner of the 2016 Lvmh prize for emerging talents – had reinterpreted some of the brand’s most iconic pieces blending British aesthetics with Caribbean influences, the new capsule is a multicultural journey. The inspiration is the link between Great Britain and the Caribbean, a theme dear to the designer who has created a wardrobe with a 1970s style, featuring shorts, shoes, t-shirts, and tracksuits characterized by vintage tailoring with rich color contrasts and check prints. Traditional Jamaican elements are woven into adidas-branded clothing, paying homage to the sub-genre of reggae music. Key accessories include the Samba and Nizza sneakers, with vibrant color tones ranging from green to navy blue to yellow. While the former features a leather upper with suede toe cap and heel tab, the latter is made with a canvas upper with thick stitching details, enameled eyelets, and a raised sole. The campaign for the collection launch was shot by Jeano Edwards, creating a short film in Jamaica featuring a group of young people playing soccer and taking care of their horses at Caymans Park equestrian center. The collection has been available on the official adidas website and selected stores for a few days.