Ever constant and one of the most successful sneakers of all time, the adidas Stan Smith is the star of an upcoming four-shoe collection designed in collaboration with Los Angeles-based brand Brain Dead. After receiving a warm reception to his first start-up, Farmtactics, designer Kyle Ng was aware of the demand for graphic tees in 2014, but the stockists hated them. Retailers refused to sell them, while people like Kyle knew the public would buy and wear them; the demand was real.
This gave rise to Brain Dead, a collective of creative minds that has a unique and disruptive approach to culture. Brain Dead has been represented by various forms and interpretations, including many fashionistas, independent designers, and artists who injected their flavorful styles and tastes into products. The open-minded approach has worked spectacularly for the brand, as they boast an impressive resume of collaborators, including Oakley, Jeff Goldblum, Carhartt, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. At the beginning of 2024, it was announced that a partnership with adidas would be underway with the introduction of a bowling shoe. Since their launch, there has been a variety of super-limited Stan Smiths, including a pair sold only in London while the major tennis tournament Wimbledon was taking place. Now, the wider audience has four new pairs to choose from.
All four arrive together and are constructed the same, with signature touches evident across the shoe. Coming in Vapour Pink, Shadow Green, Clear Brown, and Bahia Light Blue, each pair sits upon a dark rubber outsole—soft leather envelopes the upper, with fuzzy suede appearing at the heels. The Brain Dead logo is perforated on the lateral sides, and dual branding is on the tongue label. The traditional Trefoil Stan Smith logo is present on the back heel tabs. There is a line of jagged stitching along the heel tabs, another signature Brain Dead infusion, and fuzzy, distressed laces give that unique and disruptive look.
The Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith Pack is set to release on September 7, 2024, through Brain Dead, adidas, and select retailers in-store and online. The Bahia Light Blue pair will be exclusive to Brain Dead. Coming in men's sizing, retail is $150. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith Clear Brown
Images via BSTN
Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith Shadow Green
Image via adidas
Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith Vapour Pink
Images via adidas
Brain Dead x adidas Stan Smith Bahia Light Blue
In this article
Craig Bell happily talks about sneakers or as he calls them "trainers" every day of the year. An avid Bradford City fan, he's also a big supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. He will forever profess that Cricket is better than Baseball and that Rugby League is better then Rugby Union. Among his many hot takes, he believes the adidas ZX range is the pinnacle of sneaker design.
