adidas Rider Series: Superstar ADV Duran & Soto
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Superstar silhouette, adidas’ latest instalment of their eagerly awaited Rider Series collection welcomes two new unisex profiles from unconstrained and recently announced US-Skate Team members Mariah Duran and Jenn Soto. Joining the lineup alongside memorable collabs from Miles Silvas, Jason Dill and Na-Kel Smith, these remastered Superstar ADV sneakers drop-in to complement both Mark Gonzales’ and Blondey McCoy’s Superstar 80’s reworks earlier this year and late 2019.
Celebrating five decades at the fore-front of culture, the Superstar silhouette has grown to become one of the most exemplary footwear designs to date. Planting itself onto the scene in 1970, the notorious court-side shoe set about delivering refined comfort, support and all-round structuring to the basketball game. Crushing its All-Star and Pro-Keds canvas counterparts, the adidas Superstar thereby shot to fame through hip-hop subculture and soon found its way into early skate society. Fast forward to the late 90’s, much-loved figures such as HUF owner and pro-skater Keith Hufnagel and pioneering street-skater Mark Gonzales solidified the adidas Superstar with a firm seat at the skateboarding table, whilst the design’s boxy shell-toe and its tacky herringbone sole helps make them a go-to choice, even to this day, with skaters of all abilities and backgrounds. Bound by heritage and inspired by culture, the legendary adidas Superstar silhouette is one etched firmly into sporting folklore.
Designing the shoes in tandem, both Duran and Soto opted for classic colourways and simplistic decals to help elevate the iconic silhouette’s overall aesthetic. Remaining loyal to the classic court-led styling, Duran’s interpretation is finished in a sleek white and gold colour pairing whilst Soto’s innovative core black and silver redesign delivers a modernised aesthetic deeply-infused with NYC undertones. Both sneakers are constructed utilising premium-quality leather whilst Adiprene moulded sockliners and tacky rubber outsoles help supply them with skate-specific traction. Hinting towards their free-spirited energy, both skater’s swap out adidas’ iconic perforation patterns for customised decals, Duran choosing stars and Soto opting for moons, whilst reflective stripes and iconic shell-toe casings assist in providing a safer and well-protected ride. The crisp white Superstar ADV’s from Duran are finished with signature side panel branding, a signed aqua-green insole and with a neat embroidered cactus across the heel in celebration of her New Mexico roots. For Soto, ‘Fly Past The Moon’ split heel embroidered scripture, signature side panel decals and skyline-themed insoles pay homage to her New Jersey and Big Apple upbringing.
Both aged 23 and goofy-footed, Mariah Duran and Jenn Soto are no strangers to the skate scene. With 19 collective skate years behind them and with countless X-Game achievements to their names, the creative duo were appointed as the latest additions to the USA Skate Team in 2019. With Duran growing up skating the streets of Albuquerque and Soto shredding her way through NYC’s concrete jungle, both supply a refreshing skate style.
Inspired by skate-legends such as Vanessa Torres, Elissa Steamer and now fellow Meow Skateboards team member Leo Baker, highly-motivated Duran is a skater that’s gone on to shatter countless contests thanks to her tough tolerance levels and her animated persona. Currently ranked #5 in the women’s street division of Boardr’s World Skateboarding Rankings.
Appearing recently in the Jonah Hill directed ‘Change is a Team Sport’ Superstar edit for adidas Originals, as well as in The Berrics directed ‘Skate Girls’ edit alongside team-mate Duran, Jenn Soto delivers a relaxed skate style heightened by her own limitless mindset. Led by a passion to strip-back gender barriers, the former pizza chef from New Jersey has continued to make skateboarding her full-time priority whilst her secured spot with P-Rod founded Primitive Skateboards and sponsorship with adidas and Thunder Trucks has continued to open up a number of new opportunities.
A collection launched in 2019 to help celebrate the visionary direction of famed pro-skaters as well as much-loved adidas silhouettes, the adidas Rider Series combines the brand’s passion for premium quality with skate’s boisterous boundary-pushing energy. Supplying fresh new monthly collaborations, the series has already been treated to unapologetic styles such as the snakeskin-inspired Samba Decons and the high-top Na-Kel Rivalry sneakers, as well as to the exclusive founding 3ST.004 profile from pro-skater Miles Silvas. Be sure to check back in to stay on top of all the latest releases and drop-details.
The adidas Superstar ADV 'Duran' & 'Soto' Shoes are available online now.
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