Adidas Launches Global Collaboration with Filipino Brand Proudrace

When Adidas reached out to Rik for the project, the brief was simple: merge Proudrace’s raw, contemporary, street-informed aesthetic with Adidas’ sports-inspired, heritage-driven DNA. Eventually, what first started as a simple concept pitch evolved into a full-on collaboration.

The project has been in the works for more than a year. When Rik presented his initial concepts to Adidas, he had just concluded his artisanal line’s runway show at BYS Fashion Week 2024—a collection that drew inspiration from his experiences as the son of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Titled “From Proudrace With Love,” the lineup stood as a tribute to the nostalgic feeling of receiving balikbayan boxes.

For this partnership, Rik revisited that same spirit. “I wanted Filipinos around the world to see themselves in the work that I was making for Adidas,” he says.

The collection pulls from small but meaningful memories: receiving secondhand shoes from balikbayan boxes, the look of polished wooden floors, and the softness of lace curtains at his grandmother’s home. Even details reminiscent of traditional postcards appear throughout the collection.

Marking the first of two drops, this debut collection includes one pair of sneakers and two graphic tees.

The Jabbar Lo sneaker—crafted in brown suede—features a postcard stamp on the tongue and three white lace stripes. A white tee carries Proudrace’s vintage postcard-style print, “Mabuhay! Wish you were here.” The brown tee includes a stamp graphic on the front and the phrase “I Miss You” on the back, both signatures of the brand’s visual language.

A collaboration of this scale marks a defining moment for an independent Filipino label. Reflecting on Proudrace’s 12-year journey, Rik considers the partnership one of the most meaningful chapters of his career.

“I truly see this collaboration as the culmination of everything I’ve poured into Proudrace over the years,” he says.

“When I started the brand back in 2012, breaking into the global scene felt almost impossible. But I worked hard to be sold in 16 different countries. It took everything I had, every ounce of passion, resilience, and faith just to take that first step forward.”

Beyond a mere personal achievement, Rik views the Adidas collaboration as a significant step forward for the Filipino fashion landscape at large.

“This collaboration with Adidas isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a reminder that Filipino creativity belongs on the world stage,” he muses. “It proves that with persistence and heart, we can stand proudly among the best, carrying our stories and identity with us wherever we go.”

Photos by Everywhereweshoot. Beauty direction by Slo Lopez for ISSY. Hair and makeup by Celine Cabildo. Models: Necole Almerekhi, Maverick Lacson, Nidhya Kumar, and Marco Gatchalian.