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NA-KEL SMITH REBOOTS THE NIZZA FOR ADIDAS

"Suede... Furry and nice"


This month, adidas Skateboarding once again hands over creative control to team-rider, Na-Kel Smith to personalise a timeless brand silhouette and a personal favourite—the Nizza.

The pro-rider applies the “NAK” treatment to the 1975 classic that has been updated with a modern, refined treatment (RF) with one shoe representing Smith’s wild side, and the other for his mild side. With both models receiving a hairy suede treatment hand-picked by Nak, the bold green hi-top silhouette is contrasted by an understated, black low model. The two Nizza RFS x Na-Kel offerings are part of adidas Skateboarding’s on-going Rider Series program where select team riders re-imagine archival footwear silhouettes through new materials, colorways and design details.



Held to its OG shape and makeup, the new and improved Nizza Hi RFS (Refined Skateboarding) receives a statement making spring-green colorway broken up with pink detailing. The vulcanized court classic features streamlined padding for maximum mobility, coupled with a double suede toecap for durability. The shoe is complete with a cheetah print heel tab and inner-lining to match.

“I like the history of the Nizza, and the look of the shoe. The suede we used feels furry and has a really nice touch to it. It’s also really easy to break in,” Na-Kel explains, “More than anything, I’m appreciative and grateful to have been able to choose these colorways myself.”



Nak applies a similar treatment to the Nizza RFS low, assigning a black-on-black palette to a premium suede upper. Refining basketball aesthetics for skateboarding, the low carries a similarly thin lining and reinforced toecap, along with the right balance of red in the sneaker’s sole and foxing stripe. The Nizza RFS x Na-Kel style also incorporates the subtle cheetah print dressing, mirroring its hi-top counterpart.

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