adidas is offering a new take on the season of giving in the spirit of sustainability. The global sportswear brand is launching a one-day pop-up shop in New York City on December 11 where people can exchange discarded clothing for a range of unique, vintage and upcycled collections from sustainably-minded designers and brands, such as Ji Won Choi, Frankie Collective, Beepy Bella, and Tyranny & Mutation.
The initiative is tied directly to the brand’s Choose to Give Back take-back program, which allows Creators Club app members to trade used product for rewards such as membership points and even vouchers for future purchases. The program is part of adidas’ ongoing mission to help End Plastic Waste and aims to encourage consumers to properly dispose unwanted apparel this holiday season. While the Choose to Give Back program incentivizes members based on their clothing’s condition, the custom pop-up pieces will be available for purchase through a point system based on the weight of clothing, shoes or gear that’s donated.
Guests will receive 1 point for each half pound of textile waste that’s brought into the one-day shop, and will be capped at a maximum of 10 pounds of gear. Only 2 items are allowed to be purchased and the pricing of each piece will range from 2 points to 15 depending on availability and item type. For example, vintage tees, hoodies and crewnecks will be priced between 2 to 10 points, while custom tracksuits and dresses will be 15 points. Any points not redeemed at the pop-shop will be turned into a dollar amount, and can then be used at the NYC 5th Avenue flagship.
“Clothing waste is a mounting problem but facing it head-on and shifting towards a circular future will be our solution. At adidas, we see it as our responsibility to bring our consumers along on the journey and create awareness of how purchase choices – from opting for an upcycled shoe to donating end-of-life clothing – can make a huge impact,” said adidas SVP of Sustainability Katja Schreiber. “We’re excited to bring this activation to life to show consumers that there can be a different, more sustainable model for fashion.”
The full pop-up experience doesn’t stop at buying one-of-one sustainable fashion items. Guests will be able to engage with different creators such as live screen-printing with Basketcase Gallery, and on-site repairs and customizations with Eva Joan Repair. “Sustainability is instrumental in how we produce our pieces, so we are thrilled to be developing a bespoke collection made entirely of upcycled product from a brand that shares in our values,” said Theophilio designer and 2021 CFDA emerging designer winner Edvin Thompson in a press release. Theophilio is planned to bring to the pop-up a 7-piece collection of original patchwork hoodies, pants, crewnecks and T-shirts inspired by adidas gear.
The adidas one-day-only pop-up shop will be held at 61 Crosby Street in New York City from 12 – 7 pm on Saturday, December 11.
In other adidas news, Paul Pogba and Stella McCartney have come together for adidas first vegan soccer boot.