Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith
Having previously announced their collaboration earlier this year, adidas Originals and the Los Angeles based brand Brain Dead have come together once again: this time to present a disruptive take on the iconic Stan Smith sneaker, in an updated design and new colourways.
Brain Dead is a creative studio with deep ties to the fringe. Started in 2015 by Kyle Ng, Brain Dead is a global collective of artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, and general creatives. Brain Dead is not one person, nor is it one idea, but rather sits in the space between people, culture, entertainment and product. To create an impactful brand that truly represented Kyle’s interests meant creating apparel that was secondary to the culture that informed it. Brain Dead is at its best an occupation of a space one step inside the fringe of subculture; a willingness to share the outsiders influence with a broader audience and stand proudly for it.
For this release, the first-ever tennis leather shoe, the Stan Smith has been reimagined adding to the sneakers cult status that goes way beyond the racket-and-net universe, influencing every aspect of popular culture. Without bringing it too far from its legacy status, this collab injects the Brain Dead factor into adidas heritage: chunky, contrasted laces are chosen in favour of plain ones, the perforated upper sides show the brand’s “logo head,” and the back padding provides a stark contrast, in a raw, furry fabric. Offered in Cream, Dark Green, and Pink, the Brain Dead Stan Smith is an authentic homage that pushes the shoe’s legacy forward, highlighting its glorious days.
In true Brain Dead style, the launch of the collaborative Stan Smith is accompanied by a campaign, created with artist Ryan Decker, that draws inspiration from the absurd world of animation as a tennis match rendered through surrealist aesthetics plays host to flying rackets and eery assemblages of objects on the court.
The Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith in Pink and Cream are available now, in-store and online for R2999 in UK4-UK11
Green colourway coming soon....