Way back in 2004, Jennifer Ford made history in Houston, Texas. That was the year she founded Premium Goods, the state’s first independent sneaker boutique. The store served as an extension of the original Premium Goods in Brooklyn, with the store holding the notable moniker of being the first owned by a Black woman in the country. In the decades since it’s lived up to the sort of expectations that come with being first in such big ways, cementing itself as an integral part of the city’s bustling sneaker and streetwear scene. They’ve partnered with some of H-Town’s sports franchises on custom apparel lines and become the sort of shop that’s a first stop for anyone looking to pick up a clean pair of kicks or the latest hot apparel drop in town. Now they’re etching another notch on their belt with a killer collaboration with Adidas that’s as Houston as it gets.
Arranged through the Stripes’ Cornerstone Community (an initiative launched in 2020 to partner with and support BIPOC businesses and communities), the newly-released PG x Adidas Campus ’00 pays homage to Houston’s legendary car scene. While the store tells GQ they initially leaned towards crafting a Samba, the Campus ‘00 offered an opportunity to stand out in a less crowded market (there are seemingly new Sambas every week, including four hot pairs that dropped the same day as the PG Campus ’00s). The shoe’s ties to mid-aughts skate culture also felt more in line with their ethos and vision.
Details across the shoe tie to the city’s car scene, from slabs to low-riders to collector pieces. A creamy off-white upper of cracked leather (a nod to the imperfections that run across a well-loved automobile) is set off by stripes and detailing in a shade of orange likely familiar to Houston sports fans and anyone who’s argued online with them about the 2017 World Series. Tongue decals read ‘HOUSTON AUTO CLUB’ and the side of the heels bear a number logo similar to the sort you’d see on racecars. The inner sole bears a metal print familiar to anyone who’s set foot in a garage. Most cleverly, beneath the tongue is a stash pouch adorned with the words ‘Keep Your Belongings Safe’—a glove compartment, so to speak. It’s all tied together with a simple chunky gum sole.
If you plan on picking up the Premium Goods x Adidas Campus ‘00, which retails for $130, you can do so at Premium Goods or via their website. When you do, a portion of the sale’s proceeds will go to Houston’s own Dekaney High School’s Auto Tech program, helping them host safety programs, driver’s education courses, and car care clinics.
Cre: GQ
