This summer, adidas Originals marks the 55th anniversary of the Superstar sneaker by relaunching its global campaign “Superstar: The Original.” The latest iteration brings together icons from music, sports, skateboarding, and fashion to honour the sneaker’s enduring legacy as one of streetwear’s most recognized symbols.
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Superstar
The Superstar began on the basketball court in the early 1970s and swiftly transcended sport to become a fixture of hip-hop culture, skateboarding, and streetwear. Its clean silhouette, bold shell toe, and sleek proportions made it a canvas for creativity and cool—and after more than five decades, it still stands as a benchmark for authenticity.
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The campaign unfolds in two cinematic chapters. First, “Pyramids” features Samuel L. Jackson narrating in draped black and white imagery, drawing parallels between the grandeur of ancient monuments and the lasting impact of the Superstar sneaker. The second chapter, “Clocks,” brings the full cast together for a dynamic, energetic tribute to originality. Icons like Missy Elliott, Anthony Edwards, GloRilla, JENNIE, Mark Gonzales, Teezo Touchdown, and Gabbriette take center stage to demonstrate what it means to lead rather than follow.
Directed by acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Thibaut Grevet, the visuals are dreamlike, gritty, and stylish—striking a balance between stripped-back minimalism and rich cultural resonance. The footwear and styling nod to the iconic Superstar colourways and the adjacent Firebird tracksuit, itself a staple of 1970s streetwear that continues to influence trendsetters today.
As the campaign rolls out worldwide, it reminds fans that the Superstar is not merely footwear. It’s a statement piece for anyone carving their own path—whether on stage, on the court, or on the street. In moving from one iconic chapter of sneaker history to the next, adidas Originals invites a new generation to consider: what does it mean to be original?
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