KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR ON COURT WEARING THE ADIDAS PRO MODEL
Will the Adidas Superstar become the sneaker of 2015, as the Stan Smith was in 2014? Judging by the promos now flooding social media with sneaker maven, Adidas ambassador, and ultimate trendsetter Pharrell, the answer is yes. But the Superstar has been on our radar, like all iconic sneakers of history, for many years, first as an athletic shoe, and then as a fashion sneaker.
The Superstar was originally worn for its performance on the court by pro basketball players in the early 1970s. It had been preceded by a high-top model, the Adidas Pro Model, which was first launched in 1965. The rubber cap, based on a seashell design, was introduced in 1969. With its rubber toe protection and non-marking sole, the shoe caught the attention of some of the best players in ABA and NBA — most notably Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
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RUN DMC, LEFT; THE NEW ADIDAS SUPERSTAR 80’S VINTAGE, RIGHT
But it was RUN DMC and hip-hop culture that made the Superstar explode in popularity in the 1980s. The Superstar became synonymous with the group and its style, and they were ultimately given a $1 million advertising deal by Adidas.
Adidas just relaunched the Superstar with Rita Ora, David Beckham, and Pharrell as its spokespeople in the promotional video seen below. It is currently available in four colors in an 80’s Vintage model. Judging by the hype and its hip style, this does looks to be the sneaker of the year. As with the Stan Smith, we are looking forward to fashion’s interpretation of the Superstar and which designers make the shoe their sneaker muse.
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