At the age of 15, Phil Lipschutz instinctively knew it was time to venture beyond Latonia, Kentucky. Having left his small neighborhood only a handful of times, he’d always heard of the big city just across the river. Grabbing his skateboard and the lessons he learned from his grandmother, he departed her house and skated north, remembering to always be a good boy along the way.
Eventually arriving in Covington, Kentucky on his skateboard, Phil stopped and asked a man for directions. The man guided him through the city and pointed out that the city of Cincinnati was just across the blue bridge. He warned Phil to be cautious, as the city could be a dangerous place for kids. Still motivated, Phil continued skating, until he was stopped in his tracks by pure amazement: he had found the blue bridge the man spoke of.
This wasn’t like any bridge Phil had seen or imagined. He was struck by the vibrant colors, intricate details, and the way it was supported by cables and stones. Ohio flags flew in the wind atop the structure, creating a sight unlike anything he had ever imagined when he thought of a bridge. Filled with excitement and curiosity, Phil pushed himself up to the bridge and skated across it, noticing every detail along the way. He even paused to read the plaque that identified it as the “John A Roebling Bridge” noting that it served as a prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge. He observed the metal grate road that sang with a distinctive buzz as cars passed, and when he looked up above him the cables seemed to intertwine perfectly. Below him, the Ohio river flowed, framing a beautiful view of Cincinnati.
Crossing into Cincinnati, Phil knew he could never look back. The bridge had opened a door of possibilities within him. Although he had to stay alert for danger, the city was vibrant with character, art, and architecture—along with plenty of skate spots. From that day on, he regularly skated to the city, always taking the Roebling Bridge as his path. The bridge reminded him to never give up on his dreams, even when others said he couldn’t achieve them. This journey culminated in 2008 when he opened UNHEARDOF in Cincinnati, finally getting to claim the city as home.
In honor of Phil crossing the bridge for a better future, Unheardof proudly presents the Adidas x Unheardof ‘Captain Piggy’ Rivalry Low. Every detail of the shoe draws inspiration from the Roebling Bridge and his journey to cross it. The upper is inspired by the stones used to construct the bridge, specifically Buena Vista freestone cut from a hillside 70 miles east of the bridge site. The blue suede on the three stripes reflects the stunning “Roebling Blue” color of the bridge, while the translucent Ohio River “foam green” sole symbolizes the river's beauty and hue in summer. The Captain Piggy design on the heel is inspired by steamboat captains navigating their way under the bridge, while reminding the wearer that you are the captain of your own story. The Adidas logo on the tongue mirrors the unique shape of the Ohio flag, the only state flag in the country allowed to have such a design. Finally, the insole features Captain Piggy skateboarding on Cincinnati’s serpentine wall, a favorite skate spot of young Phil.
There are countless works of art and pieces of architecture ingrained in the Cincinnati community. Many people casually walk by these masterpieces, dismissing them as mere background noise. But when you grow up in the city and take the time to appreciate what makes it unique, these places and pieces of art become part of who you are. They become personal areas to visit that inspire and connect you. This shoe represents a piece of Cincinnati architecture that is deeply ingrained in our identity. On a personal level for Phil, it embodies the idea of overcoming adversity and building bridges for a bigger and brighter future. Proceeds from this release are going directly to the Children’s Home, a premier provider of behavioral health and addiction treatment. A place that is near and dear to Philip, as he was dropped at a children’s home on his birthday at the age of 3.
