Are you brave enough to SHINE in the midst of recession? Adidas thinks so!

Article written by: Jennifer D. Carroll
Posted on: March 22, 2009

A lot has been made over the fact that we are in recessionary times.  If you are one of those that turn on the TV(which I stopped doing for the most part 3 years ago), the news reports will try to stir you into a panic about the state of your financial affairs, even when you’re straight.  Case in point, I recently had a conversation with a good friend of mine who I affectionately call ‘The Hip Hop Attorney’.  He’s a seasoned trademark lawyer with a flourishing corporate law firm who is also a hip hop junkie and sneaker head.  He makes a very comfortable six figure salary, has a hefty savings, and investment accounts but has decided that he could not buy any new kicks for awhile, “because we are in a recession”.  His comment made me blink a little bit…since this was coming from a dude that for the last seven years I have known him, pretty much shops for clothes every other week and currently owns well over 200 pairs of sneakers.

To my utter annoyance, this recession talk has got all people feeling like their financial world is caving in around them, even if it is not.   So with that in mind, I take immense  joy in individuals/entities that give the finger to this collective idea of scarcity.

One of my all time fav sneaker brands – Adidas – has revived the Original Superstars with an ultra indulgent twist, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of their legendary brand.

Their limited edition, Original Superstar Diamond sneakers are being released this month and have the classic, white on black shell toe design that we all know and love; but this hot design is accented with real diamonds on the tongue and sides. The lace lock is encrusted with Swarowski crystals. Only 100 pairs have been made. I just have one word – FIRE!

I have spoken with a few people who take offense to the idea that Adidas would come out with such  an over-the-top extravagance as putting authentic diamonds on sneakers, while people are losing their jobs.  I say,  kudos to the brand for not conforming to the group consciousness that is saying that the economy is bad so let’s all lay low.  There is definitely plenty of dinero still out there, and there are a lot of folks still getting  it.  (Word to AIG!) Just think about it, if people who have money don’t spend it…the economy would just get worse because businesses would have no one to sell to.  I live in America, the cornerstone of capitalism.  Have we all got to a place where we need to be ashamed of having money?  Should we be ashamed to have the guts to spend our money as we please?   I say if you are working hard for your cheddar and you’ve got it…do what you like.  Go head, get you some $600 sneaks. These are like formal urban attire… the  hip hop equivalent of tuxedo shoes.  And for all of those people who either:

• Can’t appreciate how classic these joints are
• Are mad because they can’t afford them
• And/or can’t relate to how the 60th Anniversary (represented by the diamond) has been flawlessly integrated into this commemorative shoe

I say – “Don’t hate the player, hate the game“.

Oh yah, one last thing… Hip Hop Attorney.. get your shine on, son… go cop some of these.

The Adidas Superstars ’80s Diamond Edition is available in March 2009.