Manchester isn’t just a city: it’s a language. Sometimes musical, sometimes football-related, sometimes tailored to a sneaker. The Stone Roses x Manchester United x adidas collaboration was born precisely there, at that imprecise point where subcultures cease to be nostalgia and return to the forefront.

Because The Stone Roses, even without a shared stage for nine years, remain a symbolic force. Formed in 1983, they were the epicenter of Madchester, that unique collision of indie rock, acid house, and football culture that rewrote the rules of British cool and paved the way for Britpop, alternative dance, and everything that would come after. Not a scene, but a state of mind.

After the first chapter in 2024, featuring bucket hats and tracksuits, the project evolves and shifts to sneakers. And it does so with a choice that goes against the grain. The Tobacco Crystal White plays on the dirty elegance of suede, sharp contrasts, and layered symbols: the lemon on the tongue, a tribute to the ’68 protests, and a nod to the debut album on the insoles. The ZX 600, on the other hand, is darker, more nocturnal, with mesh and suede that speak the language of the underground and the Manchester United logo as a seal of identity.

The real coup, however, belongs to adidas. After years of Samba and Gazelle ubiquitous, the brand opts for its deep archive, the lesser-known silhouettes, those without built-in hype. A move that restores creative freedom and makes the collaboration more authentic. Not a nostalgic ploy, but an act of cultural coherence.

The Stone Roses x Manchester United x adidas collection releases on January 15th on adidas, the Confirmed app, and select retailers. Manchester, once again, sets the pace. And it does so without raising its voice.