"I work out like a fiend but I hate, hate, hate cardio. I realized I’m in my fifties now and I need to do something for my heart and lungs. So, I’ve got to start running… I thought to myself, ‘What shoes am I going to wear running?’ I can’t wear my big chunky basketball shoes—I’d look like a dinosaur running through the Tuileries.” — Rick Owens

In June of 2013, the Rick Owens x [adidas]https://www.grailed.com/designers/adidas) collaboration was first announced. Initially, adidas approached Owens about collaborating for one season early in 2013. The purpose of the collaboration was simple: fashionable running shoes for loyal Rick fans.

This first collection was displayed in June and was released six months later. Seeing the potential in the partnership almost immediately, the German sportswear label continued the collection for several seasons after its initial run. This was no small feat, considering that Owens had created coveted sneaker styles—look no further than the Geobasket and the Ramone—well before he teamed up with the Three Stripes.

But, as successful as the adidas partnership has been for both parties over its four year run, the duo have decided to split amicably, wrapping the project this year. When reached for comment, a representative for Owenscorp stated via email, "Fall 2017 will be the last season of the co-branding between adidas and Rick Owens. Both partners enjoyed great success over the past four years and as this collaboration comes to a natural conclusion, they continue to hold each other in the highest regard."

His adidas project wrapping up, Rick Owens will be tapping a new footwear partner: American heritage rubber company Hood Rubber. "Regarding Hood Rubber, we have an agreement for one year," the Owenscorp representative stated.

With the Hood Rubber collaboration already underway (the pair debuted the fruits of their labors on the men's Spring/Summer 2018 runway), we take a look back at the revolutionary work of adidas by Rick Owens.

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