adidas Elevates Its Footwear and Apparel With The A-TYPE Collection

Although most look to partnerships to elevate their offerings, adidas is taking a bold step into luxury craftsmanship with the introduction of the A-TYPE Collection. This initiative reinterprets the brand's most iconic designs with an emphasis on high-quality materials and artisanal assembly. In recent years, The Three Stripes has expanded its premium offerings through collaborations with designers and fashion houses. However, A-TYPE represents an even more focused approach—one that distills adidas' legacy into a refined, elevated aesthetic meant for the most discerning collectors and fashion enthusiasts.

The debut A-TYPE Collection reimagines three of adidas' most enduring designs: the Superstar, the Firebird tracksuit, and the Airliner bag. The A-TYPE Superstar is a particularly striking iteration, taking inspiration from the first-ever prototype of the sneaker. Handmade in Italy, this version of the model boasts a premium leather upper with a debossed canvas texture on the Three Stripes.

Luxurious cashmere laces with detachable lace tips add an extra layer of exclusivity, while silver-plated lace jewelry enhances the sneaker’s elegance. Underfoot, adidas integrates a Lightstrike Pro midsole, typically reserved for its performance models, ensuring the sneaker is as comfortable as it is stylish. The sneakers arrive in a molded collector’s box, accompanied by wooden shoe trees and white gloves, a presentation reminiscent of the archival treatment of historic adidas designs.

Beyond footwear, A-TYPE extends its meticulous craftsmanship into apparel with a reimagined Firebird tracksuit. Initially introduced in the 1980s as a performance-driven set for track athletes, the Firebird has since become a staple in streetwear culture, embraced by hip-hop icons and fashion enthusiasts alike. A-TYPE transforms this classic into a high-end wardrobe piece, replacing traditional synthetic materials with supple leather and incorporating hand-finished details that elevate it far beyond its athletic roots. The collection also features two cashmere-blended T-shirts.

Accessories play a key role in the A-TYPE collection, with the revival of the Airliner bag. First introduced in the 1970s as a practical carryall for athletes’ shoes and gear, the bag has been reworked for the modern era. Offered in two sizes—large and small—each version is crafted in Italy from supple leather, featuring a detachable belt, cotton lining, and premium hardware.

The final touch of the collection comes in the form of jewelry, celebrating adidas’ deep connection to hip-hop culture. Sterling silver pendant necklaces, rings, and earrings prominently feature the Trefoil logo, giving fans a way to showcase their Three Stripes loyalty in a more refined manner.

To mark the launch of A-TYPE, adidas has enlisted the creative direction of stylist Matthew Henson and photographer Gabriel Moses to craft a visual narrative that embodies the collection’s ethos. The campaign features a diverse lineup of cultural pioneers—including Pusha T, Tyshawn Jones, Paloma Elsesser, Selena Forrest, DJ Hank Korsan, and Fiffany Luu—bridging the worlds of fashion, music, and sport.

For now, the adidas A-TYPE collection will only be available to adidas' inner circle of family and friends. However, the brand has confirmed that wider releases are on the horizon, with A-TYPE set to evolve each season. Retail pricing will be inline with other luxury goods, as the Superstar is reportedly retailing for $850. Keep it locked to the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com