Adidas cancels their controversial chain and shackles sneakers
A bright orange chain and ankle straps have ended the debuted of Adidas’ controversial new sneaker.
In the face of fierce criticism that its upcoming JS Roundhouse Mid is inappropriate and offensive, with detractors likening its details to slave chains and prison shackles, Adidas apologized Monday night and announced that it was canceling plans to sell the sneaker.
The statement came hours after Adidas told TODAY.com the sneakers were not meant to be a symbol of oppression, and noted that Scott had previously designed creative kicks for Adidas featuring panda bear heads and Mickey Mouse.
“Any suggestion that this is linked to slavery is untruthful,” the company said earlier Monday.
The public got its first look at the sneakers when Adidas added a photo of them to the brand’s Facebook page on June 14 with the caption: “Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?”
The design was a collaboration between Adidas Originals and edgy fashion designer Jeremy Scott.
“The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery,” the company said in an email to TODAY.com. “Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, Adidas has received both favorable and critical feedback.
The company did not respond to questions about how many, if any, of the sneakers have already been produced.
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It’s scary though how easily some activist can stigmatise you as a racist and dictate what is acceptable and what’s not…IMO it doesn’t help black people to coddle and shield them from any and everything they may find offensive…Or worse…Telling them what they should find offensive. This is scary territory
I’d love a pair….they are hysterical
If I was the designer I would be thanking Jesse Jackson for turning a $350 shoe nobody but collectors would remember into one of the most infamous of all time…These will eventually leak out and theres going to be huge bidding wars to them.
cool shoes