BACK in the ’70s, adidas made history by teaming up with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to create one of basketball’s first signature sneakers, and now, decades later, for AW25, designer Grace Wales Bonner has reimagined the partnership.
The new capsule collection looks to Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy, incorporating sport, culture, and style in Wales Bonner’s signature thoughtful way. A recurring detail throughout is a nod to Kareem’s “sky hook,” which appears as a subtle logo motif.
adidas Originals x Wales Bonner
adidas Originals x Wales Bonner
Then there’s the track top that comes embroidered with a dragon, in homage to Abdul-Jabbar’s martial arts-inspired acting career, and pairs with the track pants. The lineup also includes a basketball-ready tank and shorts, plus socks in the colours of his two pro teams.
On the footwear side, Wales Bonner revives the adidas Jabbar silhouette. The WB Jabbar Lo updates the ’70s design with suede uppers, mismatched stripe hues, and a gold-foil sky hook stamped on the tongue, which’s part contemporary, part retro.
adidas Originals x Wales Bonner
In the campaign, which was shot by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, we see classic portraiture and jazz influences with model Jecardi Sykes channeling Abdul-Jabbar’s spirit in imagery that merges archival clips, quotes, and music to highlight the player’s cultural presence.
by Felicity Carter
The adidas Originals by Wales Bonner Jabbar collection is now available via adidas.com, the Confirmed app, and select retailers.