From Vans sneakers made for self decorating and a new wellbeing collection by MRP Home to a face cover collaboration between Thebe Magugu and adidas Originals, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 362.

1. Vans U-Colour Footwear Collection

International streetwear brand Vans has launched the new DIY U-Colour footwear collection, where you can customise your shoes to suit your mood and style. The U-Colour collection features two different versions of the Era sneaker, one with a blank checkerboard pattern and another with a hand-drawn floral motif. The collection is available at selected Vans stores and Vans retailers.

Images courtesy of Vans

2. Thebe Magugu x adidas Originals Face Covers

adidas Originals has teamed up with renowned South African designer and International Woolmark Top 6 finalist, Thebe Magugu to create a limited-edition face cover, aimed at uplifting school children in his community in Kimberley with limited access to basic needs. The masks, which are inspired by a traditional tablecloth, will be gifted on purchases over R1 000 at the adidas Originals stores in Sandton and at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Images courtesy of adidas Originals

3. Pone Creatives Launches New Website

Local textile brand Pone Creatives, headed up by Lesego Maloka, has relaunched its website, showcasing smart ways to use the brand’s locally designed, woven and manufactured jacquard weaved textiles and fabric designs at home.

Image credit: Fiona Macpherson, courtesy of Pone Creatives

4. MRP Home Wellbeing Collection

MRP Home recently launched its Wellbeing collection, featuring five different ranges, namely Calm, Happy, Sleep, Awaken and Balance. Featured in each range, you’ll find a room spray, candles and a diffuser.

Images courtesy of MRP Home

5. Louis Vuitton Cities on Earth

Cities on Earth is a series of books published by Louis Vuitton that explores more than 35 cities across the globe, from New York to Tokyo, through the lens of 14 photographers from the Tendance Floue collective. The photographers track and map out the ever-changing hubs of each metropolis.

Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 362 on picks of the week 111.

The post VISI Picks of the Week Series – Week 362 appeared first on Visi.

From a brand-new adidas Originals drop and a new virgin G&T flavour from The Duchess to a locally produced food-inspired exhibit at Dutch Design Week and a peek into the new Luke Dale-Roberts restaurant Salsify, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 255.

1. adidas Originals P.O.D S3.1

“I’d love to get my paws on these phenomenal sneakers,” exclaims Content Producer Michaela Stehr. “This locally produced lookbook featuring Yannick Ilunga and Rochelle ‘RhaRha’ Nembhard, champions of the Noirwave moment, is just too beautiful in its urban simplicity. The kicks are available at selected adidas Originals stores and online.”

Image credit: adidas.co.za

2. Salsify at The Roundhouse

“The interiors at the new Luke Dale-Roberts restaurant Salsify at The Roundhouse are absolutely exquisite,” says Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink. “A striking sculpture by Otto du Plessis, creative feature walls, with street art by South African New York-based artist Skull Boy, and a beautiful view make for a gorgeous dinner setting.”

Image credit: Justin Patrick

3. New From The Duchess

“Local virgin gin & tonic brand The Duchess has introduced a new garden-inspired variant just in time for summer,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “It’s called Greenery, and it’s infused with lime leaves, rosemary and cucumber. So refreshing!”

Image credit: theduchess.co.za Video credit: The Duchess on YouTube

4. Studio H at Dutch Design Week

“The Smellerie is a thoughtful concept by Cape Town-based multidisciplinary design lab Studio H, displayed at the recent Dutch Design Week,” says Features Editor Amelia Brown. “The studio has used leftover water from fermented foods from around the world as perfumes, accompanied by generated food insults to encapsulate the concept that, at the core, we all eat the same.”

Image credit: studio-h.co.za

5. Paul Cocksedge’s Living Watercolour Pavilion

“This design by Paul Cocksedge (a finalist for Expo 2020 in Dubai) looks absolutely incredible,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “Paul incorporated the colours from flags of all the nations exhibiting at the event as part of the design.”

Image credit: minmud.co.uk

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 255 on picks of the week 180.

The post VISI Picks of the Week Series – Week 255 appeared first on Visi.

From balloon birds and an off-the-grid holiday cabin to a new drop from adidas Originals and an exciting menu at Cavalli Estate, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 245.

1. Eco-friendly Holiday Cabin

“Designed by Robin Falck, this portable A-frame holiday cabin is located on an island near Helsinki,” says Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink. “It’s made from sustainable, locally sourced plywood and pine and makes use of renewable energy.”

Image credit: dezeen.com

2. T James Cook’s Bird Balloon Sculptures

“Artist T James Cook began experimenting with making balloon animals after he made a series of balloon sculptures for his niece,” says Copy Editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen. “I love the fact that he places his bright and beautiful bird creations in their natural habitats.”

Image credit: designboom.com

3. The Restaurant at CAVALLI

Under Head Chef Michael Deg, the beautifully designed Restaurant at Cavalli (previously featured here) is know for its specialised menus, from those focused on specific ingredients to different methods of cooking,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “The latest rendition is FIRE, celebrating all things chargrilled, flambéed and smoked. You can test out the menu for yourself until the end of August. Don’t forget to pop into the gallery too for a look at the Estate’s latest exhibition.”

Image credit: cavallistud.com

4. Europe’s Tallest Building

“The Lakhta Centre in Russia’s St Petersburg, designed by RMJM, will soon be Europe’s tallest building,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “It has 87 floors and is 462 metres high!”

Image credit: Viktor Sukharukov via dezeen.com

5. adidas Originals P.O.D.System

“adidas Originals has launched a new silhouette inspired by collective memory,” says Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood. “The sneaker is designed with natural motion in mind and is available at adidas Originals stores and online. Watch the documentary below to gain insight into the design process behind the shoe.”

Image credit: adidas.co.za Video credit: adidas Originals on YouTube

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 245 on picks of the week 115.

The post VISI Picks of the Week Series – Week 245 appeared first on Visi.

To celebrate the launch of adidas Originals’ newest sneaker, the Deerupt, adidas Originals South Africa commissioned Jamal Nxedlana to conceptualise and shoot a local lookbook.

While debuting a new profile, the “disruptively simple” runner-inspired design of the Deerupt looked to the adidas Original archive for its grid design inspiration. Bold yet minimal, it’s a contemporary take on adidas’s iconic heritage.

When asked about the concept behind the shoot, which highlights distortions in everyday life, Jamal said: “I wanted to highlight the staged, constructed and theatrical quality of images and by doing so, disrupt the way we consume photographs. There is a surreal quality to the images, which speaks to the inspiration of disruption and I feel that the models I chose complement this idea. They are beautiful but not in the conventional sense and that makes you look twice and re-examine the idea of beauty.”

The models are Kayla Armstrong, Nkuley Masemola and Lebo Otukile. Lebogang Ranfate was the photographic and fashion assistant, Marcia Elizabeth the producer, and Katleyn Garke hair and makeup.

The Deerupt is retailing for R1 899 at adidas Originals stores, select retailers and adidas.co.za.

Check out the latest issue of VISI to see our “disruptively simple” architecture feature. Inspired by the Deerupt, we looked at buildings around the continent that are breaking the mould and using mesh and grids as disruptive, clever, aesthetic façades. 

The post adidas Originals Deerupt Lookbook appeared first on Visi.

To launch adicolor in South Africa, adidas Originals commissioned a group of local creatives to show how they celebrate colour in their everyday lives and start a contagious online colour movement.

The cast includes multimedia visual artist, Vogue contributor and mega-influencer Trevor Stuurman and actress Amanda du-Pont, photographed by Trevor and Obakeng Molepe, and a photographic series conceptualised, directed and photographed by documentary and fashion photographer Dune Tilley.

The collection’s primary colours – Bluebird, Fairway Green, Scarlett Red and Sun Yellow – were first seen in 1983, when all-white adicolor shoes were presented alongside a set of felt-tip pens. They reappeared in 2006 for the Color Series, an adidas collaboration with some of the world’s best-known and most highly regarded creatives who created unique pieces around a specific colour.

The SS18 offering plays with these iconic shades to create tonal ensembles in the most influential adidas silhouettes of past decades. These classic styles have been reimagined for today through the use of innovative fabrics and refined fits and, according to the brand, move beyond fixed gender binaries.

To celebrate the creative launch and in an aim to flood Instagram with adidas Originals’ four primary colourways, fans are encouraged to Wear, Snap, Share their adicolor purchase until 1 February. By tagging @adidasza and using the hashtag #adicolor, customers stand the chance of winning R10 000 worth of adicolor product.

Available at adidas Originals stores, Sportscene and online, browse and shop the collection here.

The post adidas Originals revives adicolor appeared first on Visi.

Creative collective The Sartists, made up of Kabelo Kungwane, Xzavier Zulu and Wanda Lephoto, together with photographer Andile Buka, joined forces with adidas Originals to define what it means to be a Superstar in a local context.

Collaborations around the Supershell have been key for adidas Originals this year, a few of which we featured here, and this short film, entitled, “It’s Not About Us” is a fine local representation.

For The Sartists, this collaboration is about giving credit to the people who have inspired their creative journey. “This film isn’t about us,” explains Xzavier. “It’s about the people who will be inspired by this. People that are going to take away from it that ‘this is possible’, even for them.  It tells a collective story – of the aspirations of our youth, of young creatives in South Africa finding their true voice and not surrendering their talent to conform.”

For more information, visit adidas.com/originalsuperstar.

The post WATCH: adidas Originals X The Sartists appeared first on Visi.

Pharrell Williams and adidas Originals have just launched two new collections, following the success of Superstar Supercolor earlier this year.

The Shelltoe has become an iconic feature of adidas footwear over the years; a design that has remained popular for the brand season in, season out. Now, Pharrell has collaborated with a few of his favourite artists from around the world to transform the Shelltoe (for the first time) into the Supershell.

While we featured his collaboration with architect Zaha Hadid as a Pick of the Week, he has also teamed up with contemporary artists Mr. (Japan) and Todd James (USA) to create the “Artwork Collection” and the “Sculpted Collection.” The Artwork Collection features a range of limited-edition designs, which include not only Todd and Mr.’s artworks, but Pharrell’s own creations too. Artworks are then reimagined in the moulded 3D Sculpted Collection, another first for the Shelltoe design.

“With designs offered in monochrome black, the collection is also completely interchangeable, presenting countless opportunities to mix and match individual shoes to create the perfect personal expression,” says adidas.

The collections will be available in South Africa from 7 August 2015 at adidas Originals stores in Canal Walk, V&A Waterfront and Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, as well as AREA3, Shelflife, X-Trend, Sportscene, Anatomy, Side Step, Rash, Superbalist.com and Cross Trainer.

For more information, visit adidas.com/originalsuperstar.

The post adidas Originals X Pharrell Williams: The Superstar Supershell Collections appeared first on Visi.

Forget socks. Forget soap-on-a-rope. Whether your dad’s an old-school rocker, outdoorsy adventurer or city slicker, he’s sure to like one of these 20 cool Father’s Day gifts.

1. The Peat Monster Scotch Whisky (750ml) R849, The Compass Box at Yuppiechef.com

2. Flying Foxes iPad/Tablet Sleeve R405, The Wren Design at KIN

3. Clock R1 100, MATWILDESIGN at Hello Pretty

4. Copper Hip Flask R150, Woolworths

5. GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition R5 900, Dion Wired

6. Leather Logo Tote in Chocolate R3 199, Country Road

7. Inverroche Verdant Gin R270, Publik

8. Stan Smith Shoes R1 299, adidas Originals

9. Skagen Holst Watch R3 299, Watch Republic

10. Barrett’s Ridge Beer Bread R75, Tidy & Co

11. Brown Leather Belt R380, Frontier Outdoor Goods Co.

12. Jamie Oliver Pestle & Mortar R399, @home

13. Men’s Timbre Wallet in Monsoon Straw/Green R590, Dark Horse

14. Strand By Strand Beard & Moustache Comb R360, Bonafide Beards

15. FitBit Charge Large R1 899, Cape Union Mart

16. Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt vinyl R549, Superbalist.com

17. Satchel Bag R980, Adriaan Kuiters

18. Issey Miyake Men Eau de Toilette (40ml) R550, Spree.co.za

19. Rupert & Rothschild Trip R729, Cyber Cellar

20. Minimalist Calendar R350, Mono Online Shop

The post 20 (Seriously) Cool Father’s Day Gifts appeared first on Visi.

Kanye West has collaborated with adidas Originals to create what he describes as the world’s “first solutions-based” clothing collection.

Launched at New York Fashion Week, the controversial Yeezy Season 1 line includes the limited edition Yeezy Boost boot, a trainer featuring unique adidas technology.

The full collection features cropped tees, oversized sweatshirts and jackets, and distressed vests and tops. According to adidas, the collection aims to be “stripped-down, comfortable, and unpretentious.”

For more information about the collection, visit adidas.com/us/kanye.

The post Kanye West For adidas Originals: Yeezy appeared first on Visi.

Whether it’s for your husband, your friend or your father-in-law, buying a present for a guy can be tough. From beard grooming kits and stylish sunglasses to designer watches and a great bottle of red, you’re bound to find something on this list.

1. Samsung NX300 Mirrorless Digital Camera in Brown R6 995, Orms

2. Hip Flask R380, Frontier Outdoor Goods Co.

3. Globetrotter Chrono R8 399, Fromanteel at Superbalist.com

4. iPhone Case R179, Country Road

5. Metal Detail Sunglasses in Black R209, Garde at Spree

6. Beard Grooming Startup Pack R450, Bonafide Beards

7. Schwinn SI Cruiser Bike in Black R2 900, Sportsmans Warehouse

8. Tubular Runner R1 499, adidas Originals

9. Boschendal Estate Cecil John Reserve Shiraz 2012 R260, Boschendal Estate

10. Camel Backpack R820, Adriaan Kuiters

11. Leather and Kente Cloth Bowties R180 each, Kushn

12. Tan Leather Belt R530 excl. VAT, Urban Africa

13. Sabre SB 35 Slim Speakerbar and Subwoofer R12 900, Harman Kardon at Dion Wired

And… find 13 great gift ideas for her right here.

The post Gift Guide: 13 Gifts For Him appeared first on Visi.