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Adidas Introduces Originals by Originals

February 1st, 2009 marks the launch of an outstanding collaboration between adidas Originals and three of the world’s most unique and creative streetwear and fashion designers - Originals by Originals. Jeremy Scott, Alyasha and Kazuki have each created a mini collection of groundbreaking adidas Originals apparel and footwear products for men and women that will be exclusively available in selected boutiques, fashion doors and Originals stores globally from spring/summer 2009. Each product features the Originals by Originals logo and the respective designer logos.

Hermann Deininger, CMO of adidas Sport Style comments on Originals by Originals: “When we enter into any new partnership for adidas Originals, it is essential to offer something truly unique and new for our consumers. I am thrilled to say that with Originals by Originals we are staying true to the spirit by bringing great Originals products to market designed by the most original and creative designers of today: Jeremy Scott, Alyasha and Kazuki. There is no question that these are unexpected designs that have never been seen before in the street fashion marketplace and truly take Originals to the next level.”

The ObyO concept was conceived to express adidas’ brand positioning: Celebrate Originality.  Season after season, this program will allow adidas to offer consumers cutting edge footwear and apparel that reflects the diversity and creativity of the designers and icons who work close to our brand in a totally new and different way.

Originals by Originals is the most diverse, authentic and expressive collaborations the Trefoil brand has entered into. Each of the three Originals by Originals lines is based on Originals products interpreted by each designer. Jeremy Scott gives an insight into his world where mixed-up classic sports silhouettes and fabrics that feature high-end fashion details are key. Inspired by contradictory combinations, the line offers sportswear with leopard prints such as the Boxing shoe within footwear next to nightlife looks such as the Tuxedo Jacket in sporty cotton. Jeremy Scott about partnering with adidas Originals: “I could not think of a better compliment than to be called ’an Original’ by adidas and I am so happy to finally make this dream of a collaboration collection with adidas a reality!”

Kazuki successfully brings highly technical and modern influences to a stylized, very wearable streetwear collection. The styles incorporate elements such as waterproof zippers, bonding and taping seamlessly into the design. Footwear highlights call out the KBall Basketball sihouettes that come in exclusive materials.
“The styling of my collection suits me and hopefully the audience that my designs appeal to. I would really like to thank all my friends for their support and inspiration but most importantly I would like to thank adidas for having the vision to give me, a freelance designer, a chance to work on a project like this,” Kazuki comments on the new partnership.

Alyasha celebrates the special twist on Americana with an Originals flavor that comes across classic looks. Heavy cotton and genuine materials play a big role together with vintage details and remarkable graphics. Footwear highlight Jivebomber represents a combination of an Oxford-style silhouette and sneaker outsole.

“I hope that my contribution does justice to the Originals by Originals project as a whole. The inspiration came from classic 1940’s and 50’s styles, with what I hope will be recognized as a somewhat contemporary twist. Easy to wear for the discerning cad.”
In the end, it is the sum of the various designer contributions that defines Originals by Originals and makes it exceptional.

All three collections, consisting of a total of 68 apparel pieces and 24 footwear styles, will hit selected retail and fashion doors including boutiques from February 1st, 2009. A wider retail introduction including adidas Originals stores will follow shortly afterwards from March 1st . Apparel prices range from €50 to €140 for core pieces and from €150 to €450 for statement styles. Footwear ranges from €120 to €180 for core and from €200 to €250 for statement pieces.

Sainsbury’s help customers break their ‘bag’ habit

* Sainsbury’s announces its success in bag reduction and launches a text service to boost re-use

Sainsbury’s is launching a groundbreaking text reminder service to encourage customers to take their carrier bags with them when they go shopping, as 58% of shoppers still say the biggest barrier for not re-using bags is they forget to take them shopping and need a reminder*.

From 1st October 2008, customers can sign up to receive a weekly text reminder to take bags on their chosen day of shopping. Once a time and day is agreed, Sainsbury’s will send a free weekly text reminder to customers ahead of their shopping with a prompt to take their bags.

Sainsbury’s will also be removing free carrier bags from check-outs in all its stores (excluding convenience) from today. The bags will still be available but hidden from sight at the tills. Re-usable ‘Bag for Life’ sales have increased by 63% in the last year and Sainsbury’s anticipate a further substantial increase due to their latest plans.

Less than six months since pledging to halve the number of free one-use disposable plastic bags used by its customers by April 2009, Sainsbury’s is already over half way to achieving this target. The use of free carrier bags at Sainsbury’s has been slashed by 28% since April this year, achieved through a number of in-store trials.

Sainsbury’s believes a number of different initiatives are required to bring about a change in consumer behaviour and is finding actions to engage customers in Reducing the number of bags they use, Re-using the bags they have and Recycling bags that are no longer fit for purpose.

Justin King, chief executive, Sainsbury’s, said:” It’s extremely positive that so many of our customers have reduced their use of free carrier bags in a matter of months. The results clearly show that customers respond to being rewarded and reminded for re-using their bags, and we continue to believe that charging for single-use bags is not the only answer to achieving lasting benefits for the environment.

“Instead, we want to make it easier for customers to be less reliant on free carrier bags and prompt positive behaviour change. We are over half way to reducing bag usage by 50% by April 2009, and we hope our new texting service will drive change in a practical way that helps customers change their bag usage habits.”

Dr Aric Sigman, psychologist, said: “Using new carrier bags is considered a relatively ‘simple’, ‘superficial’ habit. Giving up a dependency on new carrier bags is not the same as giving up chocolate in that the main obstacle is to simply remember to re-use our carrier bags.

We’re not denying ourselves something that we crave, we just do things one way as opposed to the other. In fact, we used to re-use our carrier bags until we were offered new bags each time we shopped, which simply created a take-for-granted habit, which should therefore be easy enough to break. So a three-month ‘re-education’ period is the optimum time to re-programme our minds and shed our excess habitual baggage.”

ASDA ANNOUNCES PRICE FREEZE GUARANTEE AS IT DROPS PETROL PRICES AGAIN

New lows of 94.9p on petrol and 107.9p on diesel

ASDA has today announced it will drop petrol prices for the third time in a fortnight at all its forecourts from tomorrow morning. The supermarket is also guaranteeing customers that its new low prices will be held for at least 10 days regardless of fluctuations in the price of crude.

With OPEC meeting tomorrow and rumoured to be announcing cuts in crude production, many are predicting petrol prices will start to rise again.

However, ASDA is committed to holding its new prices of 94.9p per litre on petrol and 107.9p on diesel for at least 10 days regardless of the OPEC decision.

ASDA’s trading director Darren Blackhurst said: “We are giving drivers some certainty in these uncertain times. With world oil prices set to jump around over the next few weeks, we are guaranteeing to freeze prices at the pumps for at least the next 10 days.

“It’s simply not acceptable for anyone to be paying more than £1 for a litre of petrol no matter where they live in the UK. If they are, they’re being ripped off whilst petrol retailers pocket the profit.”

Petrol has been dropped to 94.9p and diesel to 107.9p at all ASDA’s 172 petrol stations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland this morning (October 24), unlike competitors who do not operate a uniform national pricing policy.

ASDA last week led the way in dropping petrol to below the £1 for the first time in almost a year. The last time petrol was at 94.9p at ASDA was in October last year.

The latest move comes as MPs tabled a parliamentary motion calling on all petrol retailers to follow ASDA’s lead and bring down prices below £1 a litre to help struggling families. ASDA was also praised for its national pricing, whilst other supermarkets and petrol companies were criticised for adopting regional pricing so customers in some parts of the country lose out on lower prices.