Wales Bonner x adidas Sequin-Covered Karintha Sneaker Rumored to Drop This Spring
The British designer’s metallic sneakers are a hit — next, she’s pushing reversible sequins.
Teased last summer at Wales Bonner‘s SS25 runway presentation, the all-new Wales Bonner x adidas Karintha Sequin has remained relatively under the radar since its debut. New product shots showcase the flamboyant details up close, showing a dynamic sequin upper refracting rich shades of black and brown.
Overall, the new model recalls Y2K-era footwear designs, characterized by sleek and slim soles, and a stripped-back upper based on classic adidas silhouettes. Editorial photos showcase the various hues that come from the sequins, appearing sometimes black, silver, brown, or gold. In contrast to the sequin-adorned uppers, a matte brown textile is used for the minimal stripe overlays, the heel tab, and the tongue. The outsoles are embossed with a futuristic, distorted grid pattern, interrupted only by the trefoil emblem stamp.
In recent years, Wales Bonner’s expressive footwear designs have pushed menswear aesthetics forward, popularizing traditionally feminine details like embroidered overlays, animal prints, metallic uppers, furry fabrics, and Mary Jane style shapes. Earlier models like the Wales Bonner Samba “Silver Metallic” and “Pony Leopard” took adidas’s classic football silhouettes and breathed new life into them with bold design choices. Her in-line Jewel Sneakers took this to another level, taking the form of a Mary Jane/sneaker hybrid, offered in metallic silver with golden snake print and white leather.
Earlier this year, Wales Bonner also introduced her first-ever womens-dedicated line for FW25. Led by elegant leather dresses and tailored outerwear, the line also mixed in unisex styles featured in its FW24 mens campaign. However, Wales Bonner’s original FW25 men’s campaign already hinted at a more androgynous pull in the brand’s direction. Delicate touches were shown in jewel-toned knitwear and a lace-like woven fabric featured on a white top and matching shorts. The pink-toned hues are also found on a vintage “Infinite Soul” athletic t-shirt and as an accent in the Jewel Mary Jane “Gold.”
According to Sneaker Market, industry sources shared that the brand plans to release the model in European channels by late April or early May. As of the time of writing, an official release date for the Wales Bonner x adidas Karintha Sequin has yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned to Hypebeast for updates on the official product launch.