The new shoes are part of the Adidas Originals x Disney, Stan Smith, Forever series. | Eileen W. Cho for LIVEKINDLY
(Updated May 4, 2021) | The force is strong with Adidas. The German footwear and apparel brand is launching yet another sustainable version of its iconic Stan Smith shoes, this time with a Yoda-inspired twist.
The Star Wars Yoda-themed shoes—out May 4—are part of the company’s Originals x Disney, Stan Smith, Forever series. The collection of shoes features Primegreen, a high-performance, plastic-free fabric that Adidas makes using at least 50 percent recycled materials.
The new design reimagines its classic shoe—which is named after former American tennis player Stan Smith. It features the Jedi Master and Stan Smith-inspired graphics on the tongue and a recycled rubber outsole.
The heel tabs are also embossed with the words “THERE IS NO TRY” and “DO OR DO NOT,” along with an image of Yoda’s face.
The Stan Smith, Forever collection features other eco-friendly takes on the classic silhouette. There are also trainers inspired by a number of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney characters, including The Hulk, Tinker Bell, and WALL-E.
More recently, Adidas unveiled sustainable Stan Smith Kermit the Frog-inspired shoes. The kicks sport a “Kermit” graphic on the side. Kermit’s name is embossed on the heel. The shoes also feature the phrase “It’s Not Easy Being Green” on the heel tabs.
The new eco-friendly green kicks are part of Adidas’ End Plastic Waste initiative.
In an effort to address its overall carbon footprint, the company pledged to ditch virgin polyester by 2024. In lieu of polyester, the company plans to use 100 percent recycled polyester in all of its products.
“The next step in our journey to help End Plastic Waste begins with reimagining the iconic white court sneaker, the Stan Smith,” the company explained in a statement.
In addition to its Primegreen material, the company also uses Primeblue. The high-performance recycled material is made with Parley ocean plastic. Adidas first partnered with environmental organization Parley for the Oceans—which works to raise awareness for the world’s oceans— in 2015 on Earth Day.
Adidas also recently introduced the Stan Smith Mylo. The vegan sneakers are the company’s first-ever shoe made from mushroom leather, sourced from biotechnology company Bolt Threads. The mushroom-derived material is featured on the shoe’s outer upper, perforated three stripes, heel tab overlay, and signature branding. Adidas also makes the Stan Smith Mylo’s midsole with natural rubber.
Since 2018, the company has exclusively sourced more sustainable cotton. And in keeping with its sustainability commitment, the brand ditched fur earlier this year.
“Adidas is driving the topic of sustainability in all areas of its product range as well as across its entire business operations,” explained Frank Henke, senior vice president of sustainability at Adidas, in a statement sent to LIVEKINDLY. “The permanent renunciation of fur underlines our commitment in searching for and scaling up sustainable material innovations.”
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This post was last modified on May 4, 2021 3:30 pm