Erik Hernandez
Outsole tooling drawing for the D Rose 7 with medial, bottom and lateral views, section A-A', cross sections B to E, a wavy traction pattern, a yellow TPU shank and an aqua heel piece, all dimensioned in millimeters.
A pair of red D Rose 7s on asphalt, one on its side and one from above, with red laces and an icy blue translucent outsole.
The red D Rose 7 on foot on an outdoor court, with black socks.
A player lacing up the red D Rose 7 on an outdoor court.
Close-up of the red knit forefoot with tonal stripes over white Boost and an icy blue outsole.
Close-up of the red heel counter with an aqua pull loop over Boost cushioning.
The orange colorway outsole on black, translucent aqua at the heel and forefoot.
Macro of the orange tongue and laces.
A pair of grey D Rose 7s on asphalt, with white stripes and grey laces.
A player lacing up the grey D Rose 7 on an outdoor court.
The grey D Rose 7 on foot, crossing over on an outdoor court.
Close-up of the grey knit collar, translucent midfoot wrap and lace loops above white Boost.
Close-up of the grey knit forefoot with white stripes and a translucent outsole.
Close-up of the grey heel with a translucent counter and a grey pull strap.
Derrick Rose in a New York Knicks uniform driving past a Chicago Bulls defender in a game.
Derrick Rose in a Knicks cap holding up the orange D Rose 7.

Brief

Design Derrick Rose’s seventh signature shoe for adidas Basketball: a high, supportive fit around the ankle that still felt light and quick, with full-length Boost underfoot.

Process

The flame aesthetic came from Chicago, Rose’s hometown, which rebuilt itself after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. A city rising from the fire mirrored the perseverance Rose showed in coming back from injury after injury.

The sketches start with sock-like high tops, then work through straps, cages, and wraps that lock the midfoot. Over the rounds the design settled into a one-piece upper that meets a molded tongue and collar, with articulated instep arm bars. The final shoe pairs knit and engineered mesh uppers with a full-length Boost midsole on a translucent outsole.