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The Prada-Adidas collaboration is one of those pairings that lingered just far enough under our noses for us to almost be surprised by it—and then to realize that the match was pretty much perfect. The sneaker partnership of the year all started with a Prada-produced version of the iconic Adidas Superstar, first in classic white, then in black and in silver. The Superstar was an obvious choice to kickstart the mega collaboration between the two brands: a beloved sneaker that exploded in popularity in the 1980s and has stayed there ever since, upgraded with serious Prada craftsmanship. Now, the duo has reimagined Prada’s classic America’s Cup sneaker, and filtered in inspiration from the AC75 Luna Rossa boat. The whole thing is completely reimagined with design motifs and production technology from the Three Stripes.
The end result is a lightweight and flexible sneaker with an upper composed of Primegreen, a high-performance Adidas fabric that uses 100 percent recycled polyester and contains no virgin plastic. (Helpfully, it also makes for breathable support while still preventing water from penetrating the silhouette.) The ergonomically designed shoe sits atop a perforated Adidas Boost midsole, which offers durability and freedom of movement in equal measure. Essentially, the Three Stripes and Prada have created a sneaker with all the sporty high-end flair that a world-class sailor (or hypebeast) could hope for. Not to mention, the various shades of white and recycled materials make for a sneaker that practically looks like it is glowing.
While the source material here doesn’t carry quite the same name recognition as the Adidas Superstar, it is still a savvy move from the duo. Digging into the archive for something chock full of exuberant 1990s vibes and reworking it with contemporary materials and production techniques is always a smart way to produce a hit sneaker in 2020. And given the excitement around every Adidas x Prada sneaker that has dropped to date, this one is set to be another hit in what is shaping up as a powerhouse partnership.
