Header: Courtesy of Adidas
adidas has just announced the release of the VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish sneakers, created in collaboration with musician Pharrell Williams. The sneaker is released under VIRGINIA, a new alias, community platform, and brand introduced by Pharrell, which takes its name from his home state and forms the framework for this collaboration.
VIRGINIA
The shoe is a revised version of the adidas Adistar, reworking the original performance-focused model with design elements that place it into the category of everyday wear. While it remains based on the familiar adidas silhouette, it introduces new design features and details that distinguish it from earlier versions.
The design includes an enlarged midsole, shaped to resemble the gills of a jellyfish, alongside a layered mesh upper and external skeletal elements that play with our dimensional perceptions. Additional details include glow-in-the-dark elements, a logo shaped to echo the outline of a jellyfish, and branding references such as “Jellyfish” and “VIRGINIA” on the insole and tongue. These details link the shoe both to marine life as a design source and to Pharrell’s personal brand identity.
Aquatic campaign
The launch is supported by a campaign developed by Pharrell and adidas set around the idea of divers exploring a fictional coral reef. By constructing an imaginary setting rather than filming in natural environments, the campaign brings the public into the midst of aquatic life without disrupting existing ecosystems. Images for the campaign draw on vintage diving photography and nature films, connecting the shoe conceptually to marine references while positioning it within a broader visual culture.
