AVAVAV's Second adidas Originals Collab Is High Fashion, Low Performance

Summary

• AVAVAV and adidas Originals are back with a second collaboration.
• The line features avant-garde hoodies, tops, vests, pants, and shorts.
• The collection drops on May 22.

Beate Karlsson’s AVAVAV is famous for its playful subversions, and the brand’s ongoing adidas Originals collaboration—first introduced for Fall/Winter 2025 and now entering its second iteration—is among the tongue-in-cheek designer’s best work.

The AVAVAV-ificiation of adidas Originals is full of experiments, illusions, and breakthroughs. Hooded tops are avant-garde enough for a Berlin club. Puffer vests are so bulbous they might as well double as armour. Pants are rouched for the drama, and shorts purposefully leave little to the imagination. New Moonrubber Megaride runners and warped Superstars are fit for aliens. Despite adidas Originals’ sportswear roots, AVAVAV’s take is not intended for the court; in fact, the brand comically bills the latest collab as “High Fashion, Low Performance.”

If you’re confused by the tagline, let the collection’s accompanying campaign clear things up. A series of stills, shot by Lennart Madou, picture models striking serious America’s Next Top Model poses while attempting (and failing) to participate in sports. One model is photographed sprawled on the floor trying to blow a golf ball into a hole en vogue, and another is snapped in a fierce stance while being pelted with tennis balls.

There’s also a trio of short films starring champion basketball player Kahleah Copper, skateboarder Marcos Montoya, and tennis star Maria Sakkari—all of whom successfully complete impressive athletic acts before models try (and yes, fail) to copy them.

 

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The second adidas Originals by Avavav collection will launch via CONFIRMED and in adidas stores on May 22. Take a look at the lineup in the campaign above.