In 2022, Brain Dead launched its very own professional wrestling promotion – Brain Slam Wrestling. Since then, the Los Angeles based brand has continued to simultaneously pay homage to, and advance, wrestling culture. Now, Brain Dead and adidas Originals have come together to celebrate the vibrant aesthetics and iconography of wrestling with the Japan flames collection.
Adding to the list of collaborative silhouettes that Brain Dead has reimagined, including the Stan Smith, the Forest Hills, and even an exclusive revival of a lesser known ‘70s bowling shoe, the collection features three distinct takes on adidas Originals’ iconic Japan franchise.
The Lo Profile look of the Japan has been gaining attention in recent years for its sleek look and Brain Dead is set to bring its inimitable take to the silhouette – this time paying homage to the nation of Japan’s enduring impact on the world of wrestling.
The Japan Lo Brain Dead features a leather upper with two toned suede flame overlays, leather contrast stripes, furry laces, and co-branded sockliners. The silhouette is then made up in two distinct colorways: brown with yellow details and green accents, and black with blue details and off-white accents.
The Japan Hi Brain Dead, meanwhile, takes the high, wrestling boot-like, iteration of the silhouette and gives it the same flame adorned treatment. As with the low cut version, the Japan Hi Brain Dead arrives in one colorway: black with off-white details and pine green accents.
Arriving in limited quantities on August 28th, the adidas Originals x Brain Dead Japan Flames collection is available via CONFIRMED, select adidas stores, select retailers, and on wearebraindead.com.
About Brain Dead:
Brain Dead is a creative studio with deep ties to the fringe.It is a global collective of artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, and general creatives. Brain Dead is not one person, nor is it one idea. It sits in the space between people, culture, entertainment and product. The initial ideas for Brain Dead were conceived in 2015 where CEO and Creative Director, Kyle Ng, quickly recognized a hole in the contemporary apparel market for presenting the culture he cared for in a purposeful way. The “culture” of streetwear of the day had become too masculine, contemporary luxury mens and womenswear too plagiaristic; while the leading successful brands in the marketplace had turned to pumping out mundane fast fashion that lacked any meaningful purpose. To create an impactful brand that truly represented Kyle’s interests meant creating apparel that was secondary to the culture that informed it. In most instances that meant building the surrounding culture first; from the campaigns surrounding the product, events coordinated for launches, and graphical references chosen, everything needed to speak to the intersection of a hodgepodge of sub-culture in art, music, literature, sport, and cinema that became foundationally “Brain Dead”. Brain Dead is at its best an occupation of a space one step inside the fringe of subculture; a willingness to share the outsiders influence with a broader audience and stand proudly for it.
About adidas Originals:
Inspired by the rich sporting heritage of adidas - one of the world’s leading sports brands and a global designer and developer of athletic footwear and apparel - adidas Originals is a lifestyle brand founded in 2001. With the adidas archive at its foundation, adidas Originals continues to evolve the brand’s legacy through its commitment to product innovation and its ability to filter the creativity and courage found on the courts and sporting arenas through the lens of contemporary youth culture. Marked by the iconic Trefoil logo that was first used in 1972 and championed by those that continue to shape and define creative culture, adidas Originals continues to lead the way as the pioneering sportswear brand for the street.