It’s no secret that local restaurants have come to represent the heart and soul of the world’s most iconic cities. For years, beloved culinary hotspots have cultivated tight-knit communities through food, hospitality, and unique ways of telling stories. This season, adidas Originals celebrates the thriving food cultures of some of the world’s largest metropolises – working directly with the owners of pioneering restaurants, for its adilicious sneaker series.
In Dubai, adidas Originals launches the SUPERSTAR RAVI sneaker, in collaboration with Ravi restaurant, where footwear meets food in an effort to celebrate community focused restaurants in cities around the world.
Covering 11 restaurants in 11 cities, the series presents 11 culinary inspired silhouettes, all driven by the mantra – authentic food, real people, fresh sneakers. The striking designs tell the story of each restaurant, reflecting their aesthetic in every nuanced detail, and truly paying a homage to venues and people who play an important role in the fabric of their communities. Within Dubai, the collaboration highlights one of the city’s most nostalgic and culturally relevant locations – Ravi restaurant – which has long served as a hub for both diasporic and local families, friends, and creative communities to come together.
Founded in Dubai as a family-owned business in 1978 by Chaudary Abdul Hameed. Chaudary’s plans for Ravi were to serve Pakistani food and cater to those who miss home cooked meals at an affordable price, giving people a taste of authentic Pakistani food. Overtime, his original plans grew into what it is today, a culinary destination; a must visit hotspot for tourists, locals, expats, and celebrities; including the likes of Snoop Dogg, Bollywood stars, world renowned cricketers, One Republic, and Craig David amongst others. With its first and most popular venue set in the heart of Al Satwa, the casual dining spot has overtime become synonymous with family, community, and culture – with stories of staff working in the same restaurant across 3 generations, alongside loyal customers, it evolved into a family.
Offering a re-interpreted take on the adidas Original Superstar, the special edition SUPERSTAR RAVI colourway references the Pakistani heritage of the owners and features a custom sock liner with a hand-drawn map design signifying the meaning of the name Ravi, meaning “river” which is in Northeastern Pakistan. The heel tab branding includes the year Ravi opened alongside the name in English and Arabic on either shoe, as well as three sets of laces. The restaurant owners hand selected 6 hero dishes which have been added to the tongue of the sneakers with English on one side and Arabic on the other. Each pair of shoes are delivered in a special edition takeaway style box and comes with a detachable hangtag featuring the restaurant’s logo.
“My family has worked so hard to bring Ravi to where it is now, it has become more than just a restaurant with staff and customers, it has become a home that many grew up with. To say that Ravi had a humble beginning and is now representing Dubai as a key city with adidas is a milestone to celebrate” said RAVI founder, Chaudary Abdul Hameed.
This unique collaboration represents the ability of food to be able to transcend physical borders and create cultural bonds, metaphorically transporting us to somewhere new or a taste of home for many of the diasporic communities found in adidas key cities. Through the adilicious series, every restaurant brings their own unique culinary perspective and story to the table.
The limited edition sneakers will be available for sale on 23rd June online through adidas shoes and select retailers exclusive to Dubai.
