Adidas Originals and Bad Bunny are set to release the latest sneaker from their longstanding partnership: the Gazelle San Juan. This new take on the iconic Gazelle silhouette pays homage to Bad Bunny's native Puerto Rico, reflecting the island's roots, culture, and streets though its colorful design, which draws inspiration from San Juan's historic cobblestones, the sea, the beach.
The shoe will be launched on June 23rd to coincide with Noche de San Juan, an annual festivity which celebrates the eve of the feast day of Saint John the Baptist.
Available in a range of sizes, the latest creation is priced at $140 USD for adults and will be available at select retailers.
Besides the fashion aspect behind the launch, Adidas pointed out in a statement that the shoes pay homage to the Boricua legacy in the brand's DNA:
It is the same Puerto Rican pride that inspired Gazelle San Juan that empowers composer and producer Mike Amadeo, who runs New York's oldest music store. Since its opening in 1941, the store has been a meeting point for artists, keeping boricua culture alive and connecting new generations with its origins.
Bad Bunny x adidas Gazelle "San Juan" Releases Tomorrow 🐰 https://t.co/VwqP0OmwqZ pic.twitter.com/kA4fAqDNk8
— JustFreshKicks (@JustFreshKicks) June 23, 2024
The San Juan is the latest of a long standing partnership between Bad Bunny and Adidas that goes back to 2021 when Bad Bunny and Adidas launched "The First Café". The take on the classic court sneaker referenced the essential cup of coffee that starts the artist's daily routine and featured a premium leather upper matched with suede overlays, as well as a distinctive buckle fastening.
In an official statement upon the launch of their partnership in March 2021, Bad Bunny expressed his feelings behind collaborating with an iconic brand like Adidas:
"I have always loved sneakers since i was a kid. They were the essential detail of the style I wanted and the look I wanted to have depending on what I was going to do that day. I would go out with my friends and we would ask each other, what sneakers are you going to wear today? At the same time, we would talk about those sneakers we dreamt of having one day. It's something that defines you and at the same time it brings people together. Ultimately, it's what accompanies you and adds style as you walk the path you choose to take. Today, it feels great to create my own design with people who I share the same sentiment. It feels amazing knowing that my next steps will be in my own sneakers."
The sneaker comes weeks after Lionel Messi, another Latino icon, launched his own collab with Adidas, inspired by Inter Miami's colors.
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