Adidas cancelled plans for trainers with a shackle-like ankle cuff after some critics said it too closely resembled a symbol of slavery. The JS Roundhouse Mid, a high-top trainer with an orange plastic cuff, was made in collaboration with fashion designer Jeremy Scott.
The trainer “is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery,” Adidas said in a statement. “Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, Adidas has received both favourable and critical feedback. We apologise if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace.”
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The trainer was supposed to be a reboot of a classic high-top sneaker with a strap across the middle. A preview was offered months ago and generated little chatter, but the company recently started promoting it on its Facebook page. Scott is known as one of fashion’s more outrageous characters.
Adidas said he is heralded for a style that is “quirky and light-hearted.” The Roundhouse Mid was inspired by a furry toy called My Pet Monster. “My work has always been inspired by cartoons, toys & my childhood,” Scott said in a statement. Previous collaborations between Scott and Adidas include sneakers with Mickey Mouse and panda bear themes.u00a0
Online reactions
>> Our ancestors fought blood, sweat and tears just so fools can turn pain into an accessory?
>>u00a0These should be taken off the market.
>>u00a0Any designer that’s nostalgic for slavery will never have my support.
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