END. Celebrates 20 Years with a Y-3 ‘Emerald’ Capsule

The Newcastle retailer continues its milestone celebrations with a four-piece collection centred on the reworked A3 Control sneaker

END. has released its latest anniversary collaboration, partnering with Y-3 on a capsule collection titled 'Emerald.' The release forms part of the retailer's ongoing 20th birthday celebrations, which have featured collaborations with multiple brands throughout 2024.

The latest brand to join the retailer’s anniversary calendar is Y-3, the long running project between Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas. As with the rest of the celebrations, this one comes in the form of a tightly curated capsule titled ‘Emerald’. 

The partnership between END. and Y-3 goes back years. As with many of the brands that have made appearances in this litany of celebratory capsules, END. embraced Y-3 before they became a streetwear staple. 

This capsule builds on the shared DNA of both brands: thoughtful, functional, and grounded in minimalism. The four-piece collection centers on a reworked version of the A3 Control sneaker, originally released in the early 2000s. The updated model features platinum leather construction with cashmere suede panels, retaining the original's A3 cushioning technology in the heel. The emerald colourway appears as accent detailing throughout the shoe.

The footwear is paired with three apparel staples: a track top, track pants, and a short sleeve tee. As you would expect from Y-3, each piece incorporates the emerald theme through subtle colour applications while maintaining Y-3's characteristic oversized silhouettes. 

The release follows previous anniversary collaborations with brands including Stone Island, Neighbourhood, and Carhartt WIP. Each partnership has drawn from END.'s established retail relationships, many of which predate the brands' mainstream adoption in streetwear.

The A3 Control's return marks one of the more significant archive pieces to resurface during the anniversary year. The original model represented Y-3's early exploration of lifestyle applications for Adidas' technical innovations, bridging the gap between performance footwear and high fashion.

The 'Emerald' capsule releases through END.'s online platform and flagship stores, with availability limited to the retailer's distribution network. Pricing follows Y-3's standard retail structure, with the A3 Control positioned as the collection's premium offering.

The collaboration reflects the ongoing commercial relationship between high-fashion sportswear and specialty retail, as established brands leverage archive materials for contemporary releases. For END., the anniversary collaborations serve both as celebration and business strategy, reinforcing partnerships that have sustained the company's growth over two decades.

The END. x Y-3 ‘Emerald’ capsule is a celebration, not just of the retailer’s milestone birthday, but of a partnership that’s grown in parallel, each side evolving without ever losing its edge.