Angel Chen Gives adidas Originals' Superstar 80s and SL7600 Teeth
As retro-futuristic as it gets.
Rising Chinese designer and star of Netflix’s Next In Fashion Angel Chen has teamed up with adidas Originals once again, following on from her inaugural collection of calligraphy and martial arts-themed sneakers with a trio of reinterpreted classics.
Kicking things off is Chen’s take on the Superstar 80s. Served in either “Core Black” or “Icey Pink,” the pairs combine a full suede upper with leather detailing the Three Stripes, eyestay placket, heel tab, and interior lining. The sneaker’s quintessential rubber shell toe seamlessly blends into the sole unit, which is where the biggest change to the Superstar 80s can be found.
On the sole unit, Chen has tapped into her own classic-futuristic hybrid style, where the midsole now features teeth-like details all around, serving as an exclusive design motif of this collaboration and making them stand out in adidas’ roster of Superstars. Rounding out the Superstar is the adidas Trefoil branding on the heel tab and the embossed license plate on the heel, both appearing in the respective tonal colors.
For her SL7600, Chen uses a palette of “Dark Blue/Off White/Cloud White” alongside touches of neon green and icey blue, as well as a big splash of red, to create a bold and very retro pair of sneakers. Arguably the star of the show, the SL7600 is comprised of a knitted base that’s supported with leather and suede overlays, constructing areas such as the eyestay placket and toe box, to the sidewalls and on the heel.
This pair is minimally branded, but it’s Chen’s signature toothed detailing that makes this pair undeniably one of hers. It’s rounded off with a BOOST midsole (which can be seen at the rear of the shoe), a nylon tongue, and D-lock lacing.
The Angel Chen x adidas Originals Superstar 80s retails for £140 GBP (approx. $195 USD), while the SL7600 costs £220 GBP (approx. $306 USD). All three pairs are due to drop on adidas’ website on February 24. Take a closer look at the pairs above.
In case you missed it, check out what happened in the latest issue of Sole Mates.
