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Published Friday 17 May 2024 at 14:17
Today, adidas SPZL opens the new DECADE – 10 Years of adidas SPZL Exhibition – in Darwen.
The exhibition launched last night with a private viewing for SPZL friends and family including Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Bernard Sumner (New Order) Goldie, Rowetta (Happy Mondays), Bill Ryder Jones, Blackburn Rovers players – Harry Leonard, Ryan Hedges and Scott Wharton, adidas collectors, exhibition contributors and local supporters.
Local music venue Sunbird Records continued the celebrations with an exhibition launch after party including drinks and a DJ set from artist, producer and long term SPZL supporter Goldie.
The exhibition opening day coincides with the announcement of the celebratory and limited edition adidas SPZL (DECADE Pack) collection.
Brought to life as a reimagined vision of the label’s past, present, and future, four iconic silhouettes from adidas SPZL’s past 10 years – the Garwen SPZL, the Lacombe SPZL, the Blackburn SPZL, and the Ardwick SPZL – are subtly reworked as anniversary editions.
The DECADE pack launches via the adidas Confirmed app and stockists of the adidas SPZL range, there will be a pre-launch party at the adidas Carnaby Store on 23rd May. Sign up via the adidas app.
The DECADE – 10 Years of adidas SPZL exhibition showcases complete adidas SPZL footwear archive and highlights from the 10 years of apparel collections. This retrospective exhibition will showcase vintage design references, unseen samples, technical drawings, signed footwear and a large selection of rare adidas SPZL artefacts. The exhibition will be a celebration of adidas SPZL’s 10th anniversary.
To further celebrate SPZL’s 10th anniversary year, there will be intimate headline performances from Shaun Ryders Black Grape with a DJ set from Mani (The Stone Roses) tonight (Friday 17th May) and Stereo MC’s on Saturday 18th May at neighbouring venue Level 1 Live.
Blunt Shank – a bespoke Shoemaker, designer and restorer will be hosting a 5 day educational program for local students in partnership working with Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. On the 22nd May, there will be an intimate screening of past adidas Spezial films followed by a Q&A with the curator of the range Gary Aspden and SPZL film director Nick Griffiths (&SON) at the Darwen Library Theatre.
On Friday 24th May a special release of the new Blackburn SPZL (DECADE pack) X Nightsafe edition shoe will launch exclusively at the exhibition raising funds for local charity Nightsafe. Limited to only 100 pairs, the trainer features a unique red leather swing tag and Nightsafe branded sock liner.
The new educational, retrospective adidas SPZL DECADE book will launch at the exhibition. This collector’s item showcases the full adidas SPZL footwear archive alongside detailed product descriptions, photography and quotes from SPZL’s friends and family including – Liam Gallagher, Vicky McClure, Ashley Walters, Noel Gallagher, Stephen Graham and more. There will also be celebratory adidas SPZL merchandise including an exclusive 10th anniversary charity tee and pin badge.
Darwen Live, the UK’s biggest free music festival that has several stages across Darwen will take place from the 25th-26th May, coinciding with the closing weekend of the exhibition.
The exhibition is running daily from noon until 8pm from today (Friday, May 17th) to Sunday (May 26th). It’s at Fourteen, 14 Market Street, Darwen.
Admission to the exhibition is free, but donations to Nightsafe are encouraged.
Sign up to www.decadespzl.com for further details.