Shoes are a lot like friends. The best ones are reliable and trustworthy. When properly selected and cared for, they can last forever. You can't ignore them for months at a time, then expect them to shine like new. And both should be reconsidered if they give you blisters.
Musicians mostly write songs about friendships, but sometimes they write about footwear: "Blue Suede Shoes," "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" and "Boogie Shoes." But it was Run DMC who changed the world when it released "My Adidas" on their second album, Raising Hell, in 1986.
By '86, Run DMC were already the kings of cool, and when they busted a rhyme about their love affair with their shoes, the world acted upon their glowing recommendation.
Adidas became an official band sponsor. Ultimately, that marketing ploy changed everything in music and retail. Now, brand names are thrown into hip-hop all over the place. All of it drives sales. (Think about the billion-dollar empire of one Sean P. Combs.)
It is impossible to gauge how many Run DMC fans are still loyal to Adidas, but Adidas did create the JMJ Ultrastar in honor of Jam Master Jay (DJ Jason Mizell) after he was killed in 2002.
Las Vegas' Adidas Performance Center opened last week with all the pomp and circumstance it could carve out on the always-bustling Strip. The two-story store is a modern minimalist's dream of black matte and fantastic lighting. Look close and you'll notice clever details, such as runner's blocks doubling as display fixtures. Designers set up the space into three merchandise zones: preparation, competition and recuperation. Upstairs, shoppers can find a fantastic selection of Adidas Originals, a more recent niche product for those looking for the classics.
Yes, it's tough to navigate the Showcase Mall, but it's worth the effort.
Adidas Performance Center, Showcase Mall, 597-1652.
The Originals Superstar Zoom is a nod to the Superstar Zoom introduced in 1969 and worn by many NBA players in the '70s. This low top with three black stripes is pretty much exactly like the ones Jam Master Jay loved so much. It's a trusted American classic.
The Originals Superstar Zoom $65.00.
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