SUPEREARTH Superstar: Championing Responsible Design with Sean Wotherspoon

Endeavouring to end plastic waste, Wotherspoon and adidas Originals’ SUPEREARTH initiative takes a new approach to imagining the Superstar sneaker. Each and every facet of the shoe has been re-considered, from the upper to the outsole. The result is a vegan Superstar sneaker that is free from animal ingredients, making this one of a handful of vegan sneakers by adidas.

Wotherspoon explained the importance of vegan-first design by noting, “People know that I’m vegan, and it’s a foundation of who I am. It’s a cornerstone of all my projects, and part of sustainable living. adidas loved it and we started to look at all the ways we can bring vegan materials to the Superstar.”

An expressive update of an adidas icon, the collaborative Superstar sneaker is adorned with floral drawings sketched by Wotherspoon, with embroidered threads emerging from the upper.

An initiative that strives to reduce material waste during the footwear manufacturing process, SUPEREARTH aims to decrease waste through pattern efficiency, as well as the use of products like recycled rubber.

MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Each and every facet of the shoe has been re-considered, from the vegan-leather upper to the rubber outsole, to create a Superstar sneaker that is free from animal ingredients.

The Superstar sneaker’s upper and lining are crafted from 100% recycled polyester. The sockliner is made from leftover Ortholite material, with a cover made from cork, one of the most highly renewable and eco-friendly resources on the planet. The outsole is predominantly comprised of natural rubber from trees, with 10% waste rubber content and 90% sustainably sourced natural rubber.

DESIGN DETAILS

The collaborative Superstar sneaker is adorned with floral drawings sketched by Wotherspoon, with embroidered threads emerging from the upper, as a nod to the Y-3 Super Position.

Special emblems can be found on the tongue and heel of the shoe, as a proclamation of the SUPER EARTH initiative. The composite nature of the sole creates a bricolage effect of color flecks throughout. Lastly, the cork-covered sockliner features SUPEREARTH branding.

The special-edition Superstar sneaker comes enclosed in characteristic packaging, once again featuring Wotherspoon’s hand-drawn floral illustrations.

The adidas Originals x Sean Wotherspoon SUPEREARTH Superstar is available from August 29th at adidas.com/superearth and exclusively on Confirmed in North America.