Every four years, the Winter Olympics remind us that athletic competition transcends the physical. It becomes a theater of national identity, where what athletes wear as they process into the stadium carries nearly as much symbolic weight as the medals they hope to bring home. The opening ceremony transforms some 3,000 competitors into walking embodiments of their countries, each delegation dressed by designers tasked with distilling centuries of cultural heritage into garments that must perform under scrutiny from billions of viewers worldwide.
The results have ranged from the triumphant to the peculiar. Lithuania’s 1992 appearance in Barcelona in Issey Miyake‘s radical pleated capes, donated free by the designer to the newly independent nation, remains among the most audacious statements ever made on Olympic grounds. Canada’s 1988 Calgary delegation arrived in fringed red trench coats and white cowboy hats, leaning hard into the host city’s Cowtown reputation. Then there’s the eternal question of how much nationalism is too much—how literally a flag should be rendered across a lapel or intarsia knit.
For Team USA, that question has had a consistent answer since 2008, when Ralph Lauren first partnered with the U.S. Olympic Committee for the Beijing Games. The brand’s preppy aesthetic, with navy blazers, white trousers, newsboy caps and rowing-club sensibilities, has become inextricably linked to American Olympic identity. The process begins roughly two and a half years before each Games, with the design team meeting athletes, researching host cities and building garments intended, as David Lauren puts it, to “become timeless.”
Milano Cortina 2026 presents what is perhaps the ultimate test: staging American athletes in one of the world’s undisputed fashion capitals, where sartorial scrutiny reaches its apex. The good news for spectators: many of these official outfitters—Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani, Le Coq Sportif and others—make civilian versions of their Olympic gear available to the public. What follows is the best of it, from ceremony sweaters to alpine-ready puffers, for anyone who wants to channel the Winter Games from the stands or the sofa.
It’s that wonderful time of year where we scramble to find the perfect gift for our loved ones (or just buy gift cards and be done with it) while wearing ridiculous sweaters to house parties, delighting in the merry Mariahmas spirit, and watching Home Alone for the millionth time.
For many, it’s the most stressful time of year which is why we put together this (amazing) gift guide to make your shopping experience easier, especially online.
This holiday season, we’re featuring a carefully curated collection of must-haves headlined by Brown Sugar Babe—the “internet’s favorite body oils” that just might change your life—no, seriously.
Founded by Maekaeda Gibbons who started making her own versions of high-end fragrances as a self-care ritual, the multimillion-dollar empire exploded into one of the most bankable brands in the melanin-thin space.
“This desire in me is to make sure that the girls that look like me feel seen,” said Gibbons in an interview with Essence.
“I don’t think that’s the case for regular fragrance brands. And I use the term regular, meaning their marketing strategy does not include Black women in a prominent way.”
With Black women as 85% of her loyal customer base, Gibbons is primed for an even bigger 2026 with her coveted collection of luxurious products that sell out just as fast as they’re restocked.
Are you a Brown Sugar babe? If so, which oil is your fave? If not, what’s your go-to fragrance? Tell us down below and enjoy (and bookmark) our Holiday Gift Guide on the flip.
Brown Sugar Babe
BSB is everything you need to achieve main character status in any room you’re in. The luxury, the self-care, the swoon-worthy scents (Rich Aunty! Wild Card! Brand New!), it’s an absolute must-have this holiday season, especially if you want to attract a husband or wife.
At this point, you could say they’re the Beyoncé of body oils after moving over 20,000 units during their recent Black Friday sale.
B. Stuyvesant Champagne
The premium French champagne elevates moments with every pop while seamlessly merging tradition and innovation. It’s elegant, it’s prestigious, it’s Black-woman owned.
Elle Vie
There are body butters, scrubs, and shea oils. And then there’s Ellie Vie‘s award-worthy collection of body butters, scrubs, and shea oils made from quality ingredients with self-love at the forefront of the brand’s mission.
Polo Ralph Lauren’s Oak Bluffs Popover Shirt (4th slide)
The salt-washed, sun-faded statement shirt (which was sold out for months but recently restocked on the site) embodies the essence of Oak Bluffs—a town in Martha’s Vineyard that thrived as a cultural haven for the Black community since the early 20th century and continues today.
Cavo
A candle that smells like Direct Deposit alerts, Matcha, Jasmine, Lemongrass, Musk? Yes, absolutely!
(You may want to light this while eating your collard greens on New Year’s Day for a big money bonus.)
Ralph Lauren & Usher’s Ralph’s Club New York Eau de Parfum
This buzzy partnership connects Usher’s modern style with Ralph Lauren’s classic legacy in a distinctive bottle bursting with juicy blackcurrant accord—used for the first time in a men’s fragrance—creamy vanilla, and warm sandalwood notes.
Disney Cruise Lines
The spectacle, the wonder, the magical moments, the Grand Hall—there’s no sailing experience like the Disney Cruise which, if you want to splurge for your favorite family members or parents, can be booked for up to 35% off on the siteright now.
Bombas
You’re probably buying your dad, uncle, and pop-pop socks for Christmas and that’s OK. Most of us are. But this year you should consider leveling up to the ultra-comfortable Merino Wool Blend Calf Socks which, according to Google, are one of the hottest essentials this holiday season.
Gap × BÉIS Sport Sling
The eye-catching denim blue collection blends Gap essentials with the thoughtful design details of BÉIS for a trendy travel piece that balances style and utility.
Medase
The premium zero-proof cocktail brand celebrates wellness, joy, and meaningful connection with high-quality ingredients as an enticing option for the mocktail drinkers.
With flavors like Lemon Drop, Old Fashioned, and Margarita, the bubbling brand gives you the goods without the buzz.
Papatui
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s emerging skincare and grooming brand is an impressive collection of well-made products including an aluminum-free deodorant with science-backed clean ingredients.
Cakeworthy
The dreamy fashion label specializes in unisex streetwear apparel and accessories for the pop culture lover. Looking for a unique gift? They have something for everybody including an epic 40th Anniversary celebration of the Golden Girls.
Ask any member of the fashion pack which ongoing designer collaboration they most look forward to and they’ll answer: Wales Bonner x adidas.
Known for selling out within days, with resale sites hiking up the RRPs of bestsellers, this latest collection is set to break an even speedier record thanks to recent news of Grace Wales Bonner being selected as the new creative director of Hermès menswear. So Friday 31st October, when the collab launches, is one of our only chances to get her incredible designs at an accessible price point.
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For autumn/winter 2025, five years on from their first joining, the two brands are yet again reinterpreting the traditional sports codes of adidas and blending them with Wales Bonner’s cultral lens, creating pieces that appeal to the masses while simultaneously remaining personal.
Wales Bonner x adidas top picks, according to a fashion writer:
It goes without saying that Wales Bonner x adidas fashion trainers are the biggest crowd pleaser – in fact, you’d be hard pressed not to see a pair FROW of every fashion week – so if you’ve missed out on collection’s past you’re going to want to make an immediate beeline this time.
The instantly recognisable Karintha returns for a third drop; this time in satin, suede, and sequin (hello, party season) which I’m personally already planning outfits around. And – harking back to the 2010s – the Superstar is back with a croc-embossed take on the iconic three stripes.
Outside of this Bonner’s bowling bags can be found in burgundy and black, the perfect accessory to style alongside adidas’ industry-adored tracksuits.
Wales Bonner Karintha Lo Shoes
Accompanied by a campaign shot by Chris Rhodes, starring Gene Gallagher, Alva Claire, Shim Mheuka and Bebe Parnell, adidas Originals by Wales Bonner Fall/Winter 2025 will be available globally via adidas.co.uk and through select retailers on 31/10/25.
See the rest of the collection ahead of launch below…
Wales Bonner W Knit Track Top
Wales Bonner Wool Blouson
Wales Bonner Quilted Jacket
Wales Bonner Karintha Lo Satin Shoes
Wales Bonner Football T-Shirt
Wales Bonner Cali T-Shirt
Wales Bonner Superstar Shoes
Wales Bonner 3-Stripes Socks
Wales Bonner Karintha Lo Satin Shoes
Save when you shop Wales Bonner x adidas with these adidas discount codes at checkout.
Move over, Milan, step aside, Paris, Atlanta is striking a pose of its own. Atlanta Fashion Week (ATLFW) 2025 stitched together four days of style, sound, and Southern swagger.
Held this year at Atlantic Station, Atlanta Fashion Week transformed the city into a living runway filled with shows, pop-ups, and brand activations. The event celebrated the designers and dreamers shaping Atlanta’s ascent as a global fashion capital.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Building From the Ground Up
Among those taking center stage was Chance Sanderlin, a 20-year-old junior at Clark Atlanta University majoring in Business Administration. Selected to design pieces for Adidas’s ATLFW capsule, Sanderlin brought youthful energy and streetwear sensibility to one of the week’s most anticipated collaborations.
“I’m just grateful to be here,” Sanderlin said. “Being able to put my own input into the clothes and bring my ideas into the Adidas space was huge.”
Sanderlin designed three full outfits, seven pieces total, and said the process was one of persistence. “We had to keep revamping things. It was trial and error, but everything came out good in the end.”
Having started his brand Overrated Cultuur at just 12 years old, Sanderlin said Atlanta’s diverse style scene continues to inspire him. “Everybody in Atlanta has their own way of being,” he said. “You get to take bits and parts of what you like and make it your own.”
Watching his designs hit the runway, Sanderlin described the moment simply, “I felt grateful that something I created is out there being worn.”
Pho by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
A Platform for the City’s Makers
That sense of gratitude echoed across the vendor space, where Atlanta-based designers showcased their work to new audiences.
Robert Ware, founder and creative director of Faith+Figures, said ATLFW gave his streetwear brand a chance to reach beyond its usual markets. “We do a lot of streetwear events, but nothing like Fashion Week,” Ware said. “Atlanta culture is second to none. It’s about Black brands, Black support, just support in general. That’s what makes being here special.”
Nashon Lee and his menswear line Nohsan. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
For Nashon Lee, bringing his menswear line Nohsan at ATLFW was a breakthrough moment. “I’ve participated in New York Fashion Week and L.A. Fashion Week, but Atlanta takes the cake,” he said. “We have an amalgamation of cultures and flavors. People here actually participate and enjoy the company of up-and-coming brands and artists.”
Bria Bryant, founder of the new fragrance brand Leier Fragrances, also brought her creative vision home. “Atlanta drives culture, and fashion is culture,” Bryant said. “It just makes a lot of sense.”
Her debut collection, The Origin Collection, reimagines the vintage Halston scent that first inspired her as a child. “I’m from Atlanta. I’ll always have deep Georgia roots,” she added.
Redefining the Atlanta Lens
Designer Jai Lyle had his inaugural ATLFW runway premiere this year during the GOAT x Jai Lyle show, describing the experience as both validation and vision. “I feel great,” he said. “It’s like playing a game, you’re so locked in you don’t realize what’s happening around you.”
Lyle said his mission is to merge Atlanta’s fabric and heritage with global appeal. “We want to elevate the taste level of who the world thinks Atlanta is,” he said. “We’re here to redefine it and add value to the blueprint that Atlanta has already laid down.”
Quintin James Crumpler, founder of GOAT by James King, added that Atlanta’s fashion scene thrives on individuality. “We don’t follow trends,” Crumpler said. “It’s a melting pot. You see a lot of different looks and aesthetics. Everyone can be their own individual; that authenticity is what makes it special.”
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Evolution of a Movement
Even attendees had the opportunity to step into a designer’s role. Rae Holliday, who has attended fashion weeks from New York to Paris, said Atlanta’s take on fashion feels distinctively hands-on.
At the Adidas Originals pop-up, one of ATLFW’s interactive highlights, guests were invited to design their own custom T-shirts. “I’m accustomed to just attending shows and purchasing,” Holliday said while pressing his design featuring the ATL logo. “But this is actually my first time being invited to create my own custom piece.”
Reflecting on the city’s creative spirit, he added, “I think Atlanta has its own style. New York concentrates on other brands bringing it there, while Atlanta actually spotlights its own fashion.”
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Reaching Beyond The Runway
“I’ve probably been to at least ten Atlanta Fashion Weeks,” said Carlea Woods, culture and style editor for Impact and Elevate magazines. “It has evolved tremendously, from partnerships to locations. Angela keeps finding new ways to put Atlanta on the map and support local designers.”
Produced by RAGTRADE ATLANTA, the 2025 edition of Atlanta Fashion Week featured major partners and sponsors, including Adidas, BMW, Bloomingdale’s, Clinique, and IKEA, amplifying the city’s creative momentum.
“This year proved that Atlanta has the energy, the brands, everything it needs,” said Angela Watts, founder of RAGTRADE ATLANTA. “I’m already starting on 2026.”
After the final shows at Atlantic Station, vendors and featured brands gathered at Bloomingdale’s Lenox Square for The Fashion Edit finale, a curated pop-up that brought the spirit of Atlanta Fashion Week directly into the retail space.
As the weekend came to a close, Watts reflected on how far the event had come. “It’s been a long journey, but I purposely took time to build it and really understand the learnings each year,” she said. “Now to see how quickly we’ve jumped from 2024 to 2025, the brand exposure, the designers, the way things were curated, I’m just happy. Atlanta has the energy, and this year proved that to me.”
Discounts will be shown at checkout, and the promo code should be applied automatically. If it isn’t, then make sure you enter it in the promo code field.
Make sure to check out the promotion page on eBay right away. The most popular sizes will go out of stock quickly.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!
It’s not you, it’s the leggings. And even Lululemon knows it.
The athleisure brand made an almost $100 dollar pair of leggings that allegedly flattened customers’ behinds with an ill-placed back seam. The effect is that the wearer’s backside is elongated. Released earlier this month on July 9th, the “Breezethrough” yoga pants line was unveiled to mixed reviews. Specifically, the V-shaped design that stretches to the waistband was deemed as often unflattering.
In response to the design backfire, $31 billion market cap Lululemon has pulled the product.
Issues with thin material as well as what was called “whale tail placement,” cropped up online soon after it launched. “I tried them on and they literally make [me]look rectangular,” said a customer on a Lululemon Reddit thread. Why is the seam on the back, the wearer pondered.
Lululemon did not respond to a request for comment.
Another commenter noted that the line was pulled from the online store quicker than they expected but that those who liked the pants would be able to get them in stores. The post was met with mixed reception. Some noted they liked the product and people were just sizing wrong. Others rejoiced. “It was Lululemon! Long live all the cute butts that fell victim to the crooked seam,” a customer joked.
Profits are flattening out, too, as CNN noted that the brand’s stock slipped by 16% this past month and 50% over the course of a year. The outlet spoke to JP Morgan Chase analyst Matthew Boss, who noted that negative customer feedback was the driving factor behind Lululemon rolling back the product. Recently, shares for the company slipped to the lowest level since 2020, to $247.32, but they are currently at $261.
Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald said in an earnings call last month that “business remains strong,” pointing to international business as a source of potential growth. Even so, the company is making up for some missteps last year.
“When looking at women’s, we did not maximize the business in the U.S., which was the result of several missed opportunities, including a color palette and our core assortment, particularly in leggings that were too narrow,” he added.
The product was marketed initially as a “cool innovation” for hot yoga, according to the Wall Street Journal, which viewed old emails from the company. Reporter Alyssa Lukpat suggested that the design backfire was an attempt to cater to other generations, as she pointed out that the Breezethrough collection looks like other leggings that became popular on TikTok, a Gen Z mainstay.
Some items are already discounted by up to 50%, so you can find some good deals and hopefully your sizes.
Shipping is always free.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!
According to USA Today, Cam’ron didn’t take the disrespect lying down and opened his new episode of his It Is What It Is podcast with a freestyle response.
While Cam’ron responded to Anthony Edwards, he mostly aimed his shade at Adidas alleging that they would eventually fumble having the NBA player.
“But f**k wrong with Ant-Man, gave him his props, homie got love from me, new commercial, y’all ain’t got love for me” he rapped. “Adidas I’m blaming you, This is your fault. Y’all think you got the b-ball version of Kanye. Come on stop it dude, y’all just stopping through. He do something you don’t like you’ll drop him too.”
“I ain’t mean no disrespect this morning, but to be totally honest, I thought the commercial was dope. I don’t f**k with the sneakers, but it was dope… I don’t even remember saying [he wasn’t a superstar]… it must’ve been last season because all season I been having Anthony Edwards back. I don’t know where this came from.” Cam said.
To make matters worse, Cam referenced the history of athletes getting injured in Adidas kicks. It sounds like Adidas officially has a new enemy who won’t let this go anytime soon. Hopefully, for the sake of the culture Anthony Edwards and Cam’ron can get together and patch things up.
The official Adidas store on eBay is currently offering a 40% discount with code ADIDAS40, which is applied in cart. Additionally, you can also get 20% off with promo code MEMORIALTWENTY on select items. That works out to a 52% discount in total. Shipping is free.
Available color options and sizes might vary. Let me know if you find any goo deals that are worth sharing.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!
This article contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
The official Adidas store on eBay is offering an extra discount of 50% off select Adidas shoes and clothing items. The discount is applied in cart, otherwise use coupon code 50COUPON at checkout. Shipping is free.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!
According to Yahoo, weeks after the Instagram post things are tense again between West and Adidas over the Yeezy brand. On February 26, several Sneaker leakers sounded the alarm Adidas would allegedly release new Yeezys soon.
The issue at hand is the new colorways weren’t approved by Kanye allegedly and he used Instagram to make it known.
Anybody who loves Ye would not buy these fake Yeezys I never made these color ways I’m not getting paid off of them and adidas is suing me All these celebrities and the public will stand against a T shirt or the color of my hat but when yall see me have my children hidden from me or see an actual Fortune 500 company r*pe one of your heroes in real life don’t nobody say nothing or do nothing As far as the system goes What yall gone do now Take my album down again Freeze my accounts again Threaten people to not work with me again All the new non approved 350’s are cooorny
Kanye was so befuddled by the audacity of Adidas he even uploaded a video so people could hear it from his mouth. In the video, he divulged the brand is suing him for $250,000,000 and not paying him for new releases.
Love or hate Kanye West we all can admit he is right about the 350 being outdated. Adidas selling products not approved by him defeats the purpose of releasing them. Furthermore, It’s starting to feel like they lied about dropping him for his remarks and used that excuse to cut him out of the business.
With Anthony Edwards AE1’s receiving such high praise the brand should put all the focus on him.
Also, playing both sides with the Yeezy brand is starting to look a bit foolish.
If there’s one thing I learned about my time in Paris over the holiday season, it’s that French people don’t wear all black nearly as much as New Yorkers. After sitting at cafés people-watching and trend-spotting for hours, I’d go out to stay that the stylish Paris street crowd is saying au revoir to basic and monochromatic outfits in 2024.
While I spotted a fair share of elevated basics and classic styles in brown, black, nude, and cream, the Paris street style crowd that stole my heart the most while in the French fashion capital were those who were unafraid to experiment with color. Whether it was full-on statement coats in bright hues or blink-and-you-miss-it accessories to add a touch of playfulness, French women everywhere are throwing the notion that all-black outfits are the only way to look chic this winter.
Below, browse some style inspiration on how to incorporate color into your winter outfits the cool French-girl way and shop their key staples.
I’ve always been a city girl. I was born in Kuala Lumpur, grew up in Houston, and upon moving to L.A., lived comfortably east of the 405 for years. But a California hazard they don’t warn you about is that you might meet a cute surfer who eventually lures you all the way west. After some cajoling, I gave in to my inner Pisces, packed up my gray Tabby, and moved us across town to the sun-dappled, salty-aired streets of Venice Beach.
It’s been six years since, and while I may not yet be a bona fide beach babe (I still prefer reading on the sand to roaring waves), it’s home. My hair is blonder, my mornings slower, and I love the neighborhood’s walkability and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Every time I catch another glorious pink sunset, it does feel a little like living in a fantasy.
If you’ve ever experienced L.A. traffic, you know how vast and sprawling the city is. Different zip codes mean different dress codes, and the attitude in Venice is very relaxed. Denim and comfy shoes reign supreme, and a knit is a must to combat the almost-always-present marine layer. Most of my bolder pieces have been relegated to the back of my closet, awaiting invites for martinis at Tower Bar, dancing at A Club Called Rhonda, and too much pasta at Little Dom’s. So while my highlights may not be low-maintenance, my approach to daily dressing is.
Keep reading for three of my tried-and-true outfits for your next trip to the beach.
There are a few interesting gift card deals that came out today at various retailers. I thought to consolidate them in a single post here. And shout out to our friend Stephen over at GC Galore and to Giftcardreport as well for keeping us updated on these deals.
It’s no surprise that the stylish, colorful Scandi crowd has a few sartorial rules they live by. Number one: an outfit is (nearly always) boring if you’re wearing all-black. Number two: flat shoes are an essential if you’re walking or biking anywhere in the city.
After spending almost a week in Copenhagen earlier this fall and winter, I’ve got to admit, I’ve been coming around to the colorful sneaker trend that the Danish set swears by. I picked up not one, but two (!!!) saccharine sneakers while I was in the Scandi city and, as expected, they don’t disappoint.
While colorful sneakers can be daunting to style, though, there’s a few outfit formulas that the Copenhagen crowd has perfected to a science. Below, scroll for colorful sneaker outfit inspiration and shop some of the best, can’t-miss pairs of the season.
Despite the fact that I have a massive shoe collection, ashamedly, none of them really fit me right. For context, I’m anywhere from a size US 10.5 to a US 12. Add having wider feet than most on top of that, and it’s a recipe for disaster when it comes to well-fitting footwear. Over the years, I’ve spent more money than I can fathom on shoes that pinch my toes, give me blisters, or end up being downright uncomfortable. So when a friend asked me for wide-width shoe recommendations the other day, I was embarrassed when I said I didn’t have any off the top of my head. Naturally, as a curious editor, I knew I needed to find out so I’m not empty-handed when asked next time.
Over the last three months, I’ve walked over 60 miles in New York, Seoul, Copenhagen, and Porto while testing some of the best wide-fit shoes on the market. My requirements? Only two: They have to be comfortable enough that I last a full 12 hours in them, and most importantly, they have to be cute. (No orthopedics here!)
From runway-ready slingbacks that don’t make me want to cut my feet off to sneakers so good Bella Hadid approves, these five wide-width shoes are the ones I firmly stand behind.
Miles Morales has a lot of stylish new suits in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Unfortunately, one of the new Miles suits is getting virtually tarred and feathered online for being one of his absolute worst superhero looks. Someone probably should’ve let Adidas know, because now the athletic clothing company is selling the much-chastised suit in its collaboration event with the game.
Spider-Man 2’s New Web Wings Make It Feel Like A Proper Sequel
Adidas announced its Marvel’s Spider-Man 2-inspired clothing collection back in October. At the time, the collection only featured a stylish shoe inspired by Peter Parker’s venomized Spider Suit. It’s got a pretty clean design, all things considered. Now, the shoemaker is selling compression tops, leggings, and running shoes inspired by Miles’ “Evolved Suit,” which just so happens to be the suit fans so dislike in the game.
The Evolved Suit, which you unlock toward the game’s finale, modifies the hero’s OG black and red spandex with Colgate-blue accent marks and an open-top mask exposing his starter locs. The consensus from a majority of Spider-Man 2 fans is that this new original suit isn’t his best look.
Here’s a closer look at Adidas’ Miles-inspired sportswear.
Image: Adidas / Sony / Marvel / Insomniac Games / Kotaku
Image: Adidas / Sony / Marvel / Insomniac Games / Kotaku
Image: Adidas / Sony / Marvel / Insomniac Games / Kotaku
Both the “moisture managing” top and the “3D-sculpted pouch” leggings cost $50 a pop. The “soft and comfortable” shoes will cost you a staggering $230. At the moment, the collection is only available to adiClub members and is set to launch on November 3. As you might’ve guessed, players aren’t taking a liking to Adidas’ Miles collab outfits either, and are now claiming that the in-game suit is just product placement for the clothing company.
“I was in the ‘it’s not that bad” camp before but yeah fuck blatant product placement,” one user wrote on the r/Spiderman subreddit. “I thought it was just the shoes, I didn’t realize that the whole suit was Adidas.”
“[I saw] those shoes the very first glance & went “Is this an ad or something? These shoes look hella real’ Lo & behold,” wrote another.
“It makes even more sense when you change the suit colors, the shoes stay the same,” another said.
Kotaku reached out to Insomniac Games for comment.
My guess is that Adidas held off on revealing the Miles-inspired fits in its initial announcement of its Insomniac Games collab because it wanted to give players time to appreciate it in-game before revealing the physical product to the spoiler-averse public. If I were in charge of the collab, I would’ve gone all-in on making a fit inspired by Miles’ comfy-looking 10th Anniversary Suit instead.
The ending of the partnership between the artist Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, in October 2022 appeared to come after weeks of his comments about Jewish people and Black Lives Matter, but the New York Times is reporting that the relationship was troubled from the very start.
At a meeting on the collaborative creation of the very first shoe in 2013, Adidas ADS, -0.10%
ADDYY, -0.03%
designers were stunned when West rejected all of the ideas that were presented using fabric swatches on a table and a mood board, the seven-month investigation found. Instead, West, the Times reports, grabbed a sketch and drew a swastika in marker.
The move shocked the Germans in the room. Germany has a strict ban on displaying the symbol of the Nazi era apart from for artistic purposes. Adding to the sense of horror, the company’s founder — Adolf, or “Adi,” Dassler, who died in 1978 — was a Nazi Party member, and the meeting took place close to Nuremberg, where leaders of the Third Reich were famously tried for crimes against humanity.
“A year ago this week, Adidas threw in the towel.”
West’s fixation on the Nazi era continued, the Times reports, when he later told a Jewish manager at Adidas to kiss a portrait of Adolf Hitler every day. He also told Adidas workers that he admired Hitler’s use and command of propaganda.
West also brought porn to the workplace and made crude, sexual comments at meetings, according to the Times report. Before the swastika episode, West, according to the Times, had made Adidas executives watch porn at a meeting in his Manhattan apartment.
In 2022 he reportedly ambushed executives with a porn film. Other workers complained to top managers that he had made angry sexual comments to them.
The artist, said to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also frequently cried or became angry during meetings, according to the Times investigation. In one instance in 2019, he reportedly moved the operation designing his shoes to Cody, Wyo., and ordered the Adidas team to relocate. In a meeting to discuss his demands with executives, he threw shoes around the room, the Times reports.
Adidas sought to adapt to this behavior, given how valuable the West-established Yeezy brand was to the company, locked in a perennial battle for both revenue and buzz with its U.S.-based rival Nike Inc. NKE, -2.04%.
Yeezy sales would rapidly surpass $1 billion a year and help Adidas resonate with young American customers.
Managers launched a group text chain they called the “Yzy hotline” to discuss his behavior. To reduce stress on individuals, the company is said to have rotated managers in and out of dealing directly with West.
Over time, meanwhile, Adidas sweetened the terms of West’s deal. Under a 2016 contract, he was entitled to a 15% royalty on sales with a $15 million upfront payment as well as millions of dollars in Adidas stock. In 2019, a further $100 million a year was earmarked for marketing, but, in reality, West could spend those funds at will.
When a decision was reached to sell the product — in release batches — with some of the proceeds directed to charity and most of the rest flowing to Adidas, West, even then, was entitled to royalties.
After bottoming in October 2022, Adidas shares have mounted a 67% comeback, with relief over the company’s not having had to book a damaging loss on the Yeezy line one factor in the restoration of investor confidence.
Adidas is quoted as having told the Times that it “has no tolerance for hate speech and offensive behavior, which is why the company terminated the Adidas Yeezy partnership,” while West reportedly declined requests for interviews and comment.
The Times investigation is said to have been based on access to hundreds of previously undisclosed internal records.
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Following years of countless collaborations and surprise drops, Adidas x Ivy Park (arguably one of fashion’s most talked-about partnerships) is coming to a close this season — but not before bidding adieu with perhaps its edgiest capsule to date. Leave it to Beyoncé, right?
Debuting today is the Adidas x Ivy Park Noir collection, which marks the grand finale in a series of fashion collaborations that have teamed Ivy Park’s individualistic aesthetic with the athletic functionality of Adidas’s designs. The all-black capsule is made to “champion the human form,” with statement pieces that draw on themes of power and freedom.
With prices starting at just $30, Ivy Park Noir is a capsule that’s perfect for every type of fashion obsessive — and their accompanying budget. From cool crew socks to latex straight-leg pants that look like they’re straight out of Catwoman’s sultry wardrobe, shop every bold piece from the collection below — with sizes ranging from XXS to 3XL.
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