Athleisure shaped by culture

Adidas has created a collection that combines sportiness with culturally inspired details, incorporating elements of traditional Chinese clothing. Style and the Gang took a closer look and received a response from the company regarding the background.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Creation Centre Shanghai, Adidas showcased ‘adidas Presents: POWER OF THREE’ exclusively at Shanghai Fashion Week in October 2025. As part of the initiative, the sportswear brand staged a fashion show that combined cultural influences with the brand’s signature three stripes and styles. The show featured progressive looks that placed sportiness in a new context and played innovatively with materials. Cord fastenings, stitchings and drapings were style-defining elements. Wrap and layering looks defined the designs.

At the request of Style and the Gang, Adidas explains that the Creation Centre Shanghai focuses on developing localized products for the Chinese market and supports local artisans, athletes, cultural institutions and young Chinese designers, accompanying their work from concept to implementation. Furthermore Adidas comments via a spokeswoman concerning fairness and sustainability: “For more than 25 years, Adidas has been committed to fair labor practices, fair wages and safe working conditions throughout its global supply chain. A team of around 50 experts around the world works every day to ensure our workplace standards are applied and met. If our standards are breached, we have a sanction mechanism in place that can even lead to the termination of the business relationship.“

Starting October 17, the limited release was available at adidas Originals flagship stores on Anfu Road (Shanghai) and Taikoo Li (Chengdu), at the Beijing Sanlitun Brand Center, also at the Exclusive Fashion Week Retail Pop-up and via the adidas CONFIRMED app.