For the newest conceptual sneaker called “OZLUCENT,” Mr. Bailey continues his burgeoning collaboration with adidas Originals. The collaborative silhouette, which was first hinted at via a cryptic Instagram post last month, has now been revealed alongside a futuristic campaign.
The multifaceted designer expands on his scientific underwater theme after last year’s “Ammonite Superstar,” this time being motivated by the lifecycle of the Aurelia Aurita, more commonly known as the moon jellyfish.
The three stages of the sea creature’s lifecycle serve as design cues for the sneakers: The Medusa is its two-foot wide final form, while the heel alludes to the Polyp, an underwater plant-like structure. The midpoint of the foot symbolizes an Ephyra, which splits off from the Polyp to develop into a young jellyfish with distinctive Y-shaped tentacles.
The sneaker’s mid-top construction is reminiscent of the durability of basketball shoes, but it is modern and comes in stealthy all-black tones. The co-branded inner neoprene sock is wrapped in a complex polyurethane-constructed skeletal upper that was created using three different molds to achieve its rigid geometric shape. As if that were not enough, the sneaker is finished with the three stripes’ trademark AdiPLUS midsole cushioning for extra comfort.
Mr. Bailey has set out to conceptualize a fully immersive consumer experience with the project’s goal being to “understand aquatic life forms and how natural engineering systems can influence the latest footwear technology.” According to the teaser, the sneaker is displayed inside an inflated jellyfish-like amniotic sac made of sugarcane and cellulose that has been enclosed in a mycelium box that has been specially grown around its internal packaging.
The most recent advertisement, which Tayler Prince-Fraser photographed, supports the idea of blurring fantasy and reality. The sneaker is displayed in its natural environment, bringing scuba diving to the surface through shadow experimentation and sleek black styling, using an underwater excavation approach.
With the “OZLUCENT” sneaker, Mr. Bailey and adidas Originals officially introduce their OZMORPHIS development series, bridging the gap between the designer’s commitment to marine biology and the sportswear company’s cutting-edge footwear technologies. Expect to see ground-breaking concepts, designs, and innovations across more adidas silhouettes in this ongoing creative partnership, which aims to capture these core values through footwear.
For more information on the Mr. Bailey x adidas Originals “OZLUCENT” sneaker, as well as to sign up for early access to releases, visit the CONFIRMED app and the designer’s official website.
