With Benji + Lamia x adidas Originals, the brand launches its first Turkish local design collection on a global platform
Adidas Originals brings local creativity to the international stage with “Benji + Lamia x adidas Originals,” the brand’s first Turkish local design collection to be launched globally. Created by Bünyamin Aydın and Lamia Al-Otaishan Aydın in collaboration with adidas’ global design teams, the collection features two exclusive designs inspired by iconic adidas Originals silhouettes, blending craftsmanship, culture, and contemporary aesthetics.
Within the collection, the brand’s iconic Tokyo sneaker is reinterpreted through Bünyamin Aydın’s multi-layered design approach, while another iconic model, Japan HI, gains a modern identity through Lamia Aydın’s aesthetic language rooted in cultural references.
The Tokyo – Benji model is shaped around a rich narrative inspired by both Turkish and German cultures. Drawing from Anatolian carpet weaving and kilim motifs, the design brings craftsmanship together with modern streetwear, while gaining a futuristic perspective through Bünyamin Aydın’s forward-looking vision. In this contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Turkish motifs, patterns, colors, and textures create a metaphorical contrast with metallic and silver reflections—bringing past and future together along the same aesthetic line.
The Japan HI – Lamia model takes inspiration from the Al Sadu weaving tradition, which has held an important place in Arab culture for centuries. Centering on the labor of Bedouin women and the rhythm of nomadic life, the design approaches the desert’s natural color palette through a contemporary lens, together with a cultural memory passed down from generation to generation.
Benji + Lamia x adidas Originals reinterprets adidas Originals’ deep-rooted heritage and cultural DNA through a culture- and craft-driven narrative, delivering timeless, powerful designs that reflect the spirit of today.
Sharing his thoughts on the collection, Bünyamin Aydın said: “I designed the adidas Tokyo sneaker titled ‘SOFT ARMOR’ under my BENJI signature to honor my Dadaş grandfather and my grandmother. This design tells the story of the Rhine River in Neuss, where I was born, and the Bosphorus, where I live today. The mirror-like reflection of Frank Gehry’s building in Düsseldorf is a metaphor for me: to reflect is to understand one another. That’s why I used the shiny silver detail as a symbol of empathy and compassion. The patterns in the design carry a migration story: the waterway represents the train journey guest workers took from Istanbul to Munich, while the tree of life symbolizes our roots taking hold in new soil, acting as a protective shield like a scorpion or an evil-eye talisman. This sneaker embraces the duality of my German and Turkish identity together.”
Lamia Al-Otaishan Aydın commented on the collaboration: “This collection is a personal bridge between where I come from and where I am today. I wanted it to feel like a ‘heritage in motion’—rooted yet modern. A narrative where tradition doesn’t stand still, but moves, evolves, and becomes part of today. By bringing Sadu together with a contemporary design language, I celebrate the strength of my culture and the women behind it. This collaboration is very special to me—not only because it is with adidas, but also because it is
the first personal project I have realized with complete creative freedom. It allows me to translate
my identity into a design language and share it with the world.”
Emphasizing that the adidas Originals x Benji + Lamia Collection represents a strong global expression of a Türkiye-based creative vision, adidas Türkiye CEO Hakan Atalay shared his evaluation:
“Our collaboration with Benji + Lamia is a powerful reflection of adidas Originals’ commitment to local creativity and culture-driven design. Being our first local collection born in Türkiye and launched globally places this project in a particularly special and strategic position for our brand. We believe the collection—bringing together craftsmanship, storytelling, and contemporary aesthetics with a narrative inspired by Turkey’s rich cultural heritage—will attract significant international attention and inspire many creatives.”
The collection will be available for purchase starting January 23 at 09:00 across adidas Türkiye’s online channels and stores, as well as all Les Benjamins online channels and stores, simultaneously. The collection will also launch in adidas Dubai and adidas Saudi Arabia on February 7, 2026.
