The Superstar Is Still the Moment
The adidas Superstar has been around long enough to mean different things to different people. First launched as a basketball shoe, then adopted by hip-hop and skate culture, it’s one of those silhouettes that seems to stay in circulation—without much effort.
This month, adidas Originals returns with the next chapter of its global “The Original” campaign, spotlighting the Superstar and its history of sitting at the intersection of sport, music, fashion, and culture. Shot entirely in black and white, the campaign is directed by Thibaut Grevet and styled like a high-contrast character study. The backdrop is minimal, the cast is multigenerational, and the message is simple: the Superstar is still around—and still relevant.
The cast includes Missy Elliott, Jennie, GloRilla, Mark Gonzales, Anthony Edwards, Teezo Touchdown, and Gabbriette—each representing a different pocket of culture, each styled in the Superstar and the Firebird Tracksuit. Narration comes courtesy of Samuel L. Jackson, who draws parallels between lasting monuments and the longevity of the shoe itself. It’s less about nostalgia, more about how certain icons continue to exist in new contexts.
It’s not nostalgia for the sake of it. It’s reminding you that the Superstar has always had range. From New York block parties to Paris Fashion Week to underground skate videos—it's never belonged to one space. And neither do the people who wear it.
The campaign rolls out in two parts. The first is a teaser called “Pyramids,” where Jackson reflects on time and influence. The second, “Clocks,” is the main campaign film, bringing all seven cast members together in one setting. The sneaker itself returns in two of its most recognisable colourways, with minimal updates to padding and comfort.
If you’ve been paying attention, the Superstar never really disappeared—it’s just been reintroduced to a new audience every few years. This is one of those moments. A new cast, a new film, same sneaker.
