adidas Yeezy Powerphase: Introducing an Inspired Reboot
The March 2017 release of the adidas Yeezy Powerphase, also referred to as the Calabasas, took the Yeezy line down a nostalgic path, revamping a mid-1980s icon from adidas. Kanye West pulled inspiration from adidas history, personally visiting the brand's archives at its worldwide headquarters in Germany. He was inspired by the 1980s adidas Power Phase running shoe (the original version had a two-word name), a workout shoe based on popular styles of the mid-1980s. West put a Yeezy spin on the model, and the Yeezy Powerphase line launched in three colourways.
Yeezy Powerphase initially released in White, Grey and Black and made a comeback two years later with an additional trio of colours. The remastered version traded the traditional leather upper for premium suede.
Yeezy Powerphase Features and Design
Vintage 1980s style plays prominently across the entire Yeezy Powerphase collection. With a heritage model to trace back to, the Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas puts a subtle Kanye spin on a near one-to-one remake of the original. The classic 1980s styling includes:
- Soft, premium leather upper
- Durable rubber outsole
- Subtle three-stripe adidas branding stitched on the side
- "adidas" wordmark with the famous Trefoil logo in a window between the stripes and the laces
- Monochromatic colourways
- Gold "Calabasas" insignia alongside the three stripes is a Yeezy detail, likely paying homage to the California city where West owns property
The Cultural Appeal of the Yeezy Powerphase
The anticipation surrounding the first release of the Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas White steadily grew for months. Along with family and friends, West was spotted wearing the running shoes in public before the shoe released on Yeezy Supply's website. That curiosity, combined with the '80s-inspired trend hitting store shelves, generated demand for the Powerphase from the outset. As more Yeezy lines released, the Powerphase, similar to the earlier adidas silhouette and a Reebok model, was overshadowed by more unique and colourful looks. However, for those seeking a touch of nostalgia with their Yeezys, the adidas Yeezy Powerphase has a distinct draw.
Yeezy Powerphase Colourways: Three, Then Three More
The Yeezy Powerphase initially released in a trio of colourways:
Core White
The Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas White first hit the market in March 2017 on the Yeezy Supply site, making it a hard-to-find commodity early on. The all-white running shoe featured hints of colour with a gold Calabasas insignia, the adidas wordmark in green and the legendary Trefoil logo in red. This colourway became easier to find when adidas rereleased them on its site in June 2017.
Grey
Six months after the release of Core White, the Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas Grey took its cues from its predecessor, simply changing all things white to light grey. The gold, green and red accents remained the same.
Core Black
Just three months after the Grey release, an all-black version hit the market in March 2018. In keeping with the already-proven success of the monochromatic Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas–and playing off the popularity of all-black silhouettes throughout the Yeezy line–Core Black created a terrific backdrop to allow the gold, green and red touches to pop.
Simple Brown, Clear Brown and Quiet Grey
In September 2019, three new colourways of the Powerphase got released. Like the earlier models, each featured a one-colour design. The significant change was in the material—switching out the traditional leather for an all-suede upper. The accent detailing remained the same as the original trio.
Note: Never use water to clean suede, as it can permanently stain the shoe. Gently buff with a suede brush instead.
Yeezy Powerphase Collectability and Value
Think of the Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas as an entry-level way to snag a pair of Yeezy shoes. However, once more Powerphase variations hit the market–at the same time as the more popular Yeezy Boost 350 V2–resale prices on the Powerphase began to drop.
Core White is still the most sought-after of the colourways, routinely fetching just around retail and sometimes more. As more Yeezy lines continue to roll out, creating new inclusivity for fans, the adidas Yeezy Powerphase will continue to have mass appeal due to its timeless simplicity and affordable accessibility.
