Wales Bonner x adidas Originals FW25 Honors Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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Summary

  • Wales Bonner has collaborated with adidas Originals on a collection celebrating basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, featuring a redesigned WB Jabbar sneaker with a suede upper and crocodile-embossed leather stripes.
  • The collection, which includes a retro apparel capsule with striped tube socks and a jersey, launches on September 8.

Wales Bonner’s partnership with adidas Originals grows with the introduction of a fresh collection honoring the historic career of basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Notably, Abdul-Jabbar was one of the first athletes to sign a sneaker deal with adidas, resulting in the iconic adidas Jabbar shoe.

With a collection of vintage clothing styles, the updated WB Jabbar sports a complete suede upper and vibrant stripes, crafted from leather that mimics crocodile skin – a distinctive trait of this British menswear designer. The final touch includes a golden sky hook detail on the tongue and the Wales Bonner brand name near the heel.

Jabbar’s iconic “sky hook” basketball move is depicted in his apparel line, such as a yellow jersey with green highlights. Additionally, a chic white track jacket with a striped collar and cuffs boasts an understated adidas Originals logo. The collection concludes with tube socks patterned with colors recalling Jabbar’s two professional teams, the Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989).

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at Wales Bonner’s journey, from partnering with the Black Image Corporation to securing a coveted co-host spot for the 2025 Met Gala’s ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’ What sets Bonner apart is their unwavering commitment to historical context, frequently weaving threads of Black history into their work.

The latest campaign, skillfully captured by Oliver Hadlee Pearch and featuring Jecardi Sykes, is a testament to this approach. It harks back to the vibrant era of iconic figure Jabbar, blending references from his illustrious sports career and acting ventures.

To commemorate the launch, a captivating short film was created, seamlessly merging contemporary images with archival clips and a poignant quote by Jabbar himself. This masterpiece serves as a heartfelt tribute to Abdul-Jabbar’s multicultural legacy, solidifying his enduring impact on society.

As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for the latest drops, and Adidas never fails to deliver! Recently, they’ve given fresh spins to iconic models like Taekwondo, Japan, Samba, and Superstar. Riding high on the archival wave, they keep dishing out remixes and limited editions that leave us in awe. The Jabbar has been at the heart of some exciting 2025 collaborations – from the Willy Chavarria x adidas Jabbar Dress Lo to the Bruce Lee x adidas Jabbar Lo “Game of Death.” Can’t wait to see what’s next!

On September 8, the Adidas Originals by Wales Bonner Jabbar line will be made available for purchase through the Adidas website, their Confirmed app, and a number of selected stores.

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2025-09-04 12:56