Creating the adidas Forum '84 ADV

2020 has been a strange year for many, but for Heitor Da Silva, it was the year of his debut adidas signature colorway on the newly released Forum '84 ADV. With limited opportunities to travel and create, the adidas, Palace and Parade rider went through the sampling and testing process and filmed a video clip, all whilst adhering to local restrictions. He ducked out to Athens, Greece to film the above part with Austin Bristow and went through some thorough testing of his colorway in Los Angeles back in February.

“I skated in the adidas Originals Forum a few years ago and loved them. I love classic basketball shoes for the look, durability and comfort" Heitor states. So when the opportunity came to refine the original for skateboarding, it was more than a pleasure. "The design process was fun and surreal - so happy I got to be a part of bringing the Forum back for skateboarding." 

Some of the touches Heitor made were to improve the skate durability of the shoe, adding a double-layered toe cap, full-grain leather upper and a grippier gum sole that also lends to the classic 90s skate shoe look. Once a mesh tongue for better breathability and the all-important molded sockliner were sorted, it came down to the hardest part, choosing the colors.

With a purple, white, black colorway idea in his mind, early samples were created. You can see this first inspiration in the photos from February below. This first iteration then got refined throughout the year, finalizing on a deeper purple as the mainstay color with black and white adding accents for contrast. Being somewhat away from the primary colors of many skate shoes, it's a unique take on the signature colorway and one that Heitor is particularly proud to wear.

All Photography: Zander Taketomo