Words by adidas sneaker enthusiast Ross Macwaters.
I’m Ross and I work for SneakersER in their Manchester store. My interest in shoes began in the late 90’s and developed through watching and playing basketball during that era. The ‘Superstar’ was a big part of that. For me Bape shaped what streetwear culture is today along with other influential brands such as Stussy and Supreme.
My passion was still in its infancy when the first adidas x A Bathing Ape collab dropped at Busy Workshop on Upper James St in London. Reading others regale stories on the Crooked Tongues forum was as close as I would get to being there. eBay presented the only real option for heads back then if they couldn’t attend drops. This was how I came to own the extremely rare and sought-after ‘Super Ape Star F&F’ more commonly referred to as the ‘Staff Version’.
Being a relatively large shoe size, auctions can be few and far between, so when the opportunity presents itself you don’t ponder. A flurry of messages between the seller and I, a short train journey and £700 lighter, and the much-coveted edition was finally mine!
My adidas x A Bathing Ape collection consists of the most recent Superstar 80s from 2021. Both ZX8000 from the recent AZX series in 2020. Camo & Black Ultra Boost from 2019. All four of the SS80s from the 2015 Bape x Undefeated line. Both Black and Green Campus 80s and ZX5000 from 2013s Bape x Undefeated collab. The Superstar 80s from the 2011 adidas B-sides series and finally all pairs from the 03/04 adidas x Bape series minus the elusive Super Ape Skate ‘Staff Version’ featuring iridescent snakeskin. These have been acquired over several years from various retailers, with numerous pairs coming from the good guys at the now closed adidas No6 on Newburgh St.
If I had to pick outta these, my favourite adidas x Bape collaboration, it would have to be the 03/04 ‘Super Ape Star’ and ‘Super Ape Skate’. The unique shoebox design, additional laces, and co-branded lace dubrae set the benchmark for collabs for the next 20 years. Two decades on, they remain unparalleled and highly collectible amongst the few who still covet them.
The last Superstar 80s have been some of the strongest Bape collabs in recent years. Credit to the adidas JP design team, combining clean monochrome colourways along with signature Bape Camo designs, and a host of nice details. The playful use of the ‘Sta’ replacing the stripes on the upper (taken from the Skull Sta which is Bape’s homage to the Superstar) is a nice nod to the 03/04 collab tagline of ‘The respect is mutual’ and ensures us no lawsuit is pending. 👀
To the here and now. The upcoming Bape x adidas Superstar drops in a slick, monochromatic colourway of black, white, and gold, a flip on the 2021 white and black shoe.
The silhouette maintains an off-white shell toe that matches the ‘aged’ sole unit underfoot. The smooth black leather upper is contrasted by the white Bape STA and 3-Stripes branding on either side of the shoe. Whilst shimmering metallic gold carries through from the logos at the profiles, to the BAPE engraved lace dubraes, and crowning labels on the top of the tongue. The adidas Superstar is finished with a clean white inner and stitched ‘BAPE STA’ on both heels.
Can’t deny, adidas and Bape have a special history. If I could see them work on any model in the future, it’d be great to get their take on the Campus once again. It provides a great canvas for design, and honours both brands’ heritage and silhouette. For now, can’t wait to get my hands on this release.
The ‘Bape x adidas Superstar 80’ are available at Offspring Selfridges London.
