Well, if you thought the Stan Smith couldn’t get any more iconic, think again. adidas Originals has once again joined forces with the Los Angeles-based disruptors at Brain Dead, and they’ve brought a fresh, audacious twist to this legendary sneaker.
The result? A unique version of the Stan Smith that’s about as subtle as a golfer showing up to the Masters in a neon pink kilt. And let me tell you, it’s causing quite the stir in both the sneaker and fashion worlds.
Brain Dead, for the uninitiated, is that wild, creative cousin at the dinner table who always shows up with a new story—and a new tattoo.
Over the last decade, they’ve made quite the name for themselves with their bold, avant-garde approach to streetwear and beyond. We’re talking clothing, objects, art—you name it, they’ve probably put a mind-bending spin on it.
Their whole ethos is about smashing the boundaries between art, fashion, and culture, which makes them the perfect partner to take a classic like the Stan Smith and send it spinning off in a completely new direction.
Now, let’s get one thing straight: the Stan Smith isn’t just a shoe. It’s a cultural phenomenon. It started out on tennis courts back in the ‘70s as the first leather tennis shoe of its kind.
But over the years, it leapt over the net, sprinted down the baseline, and became a full-blown style icon—gracing the feet of everyone from pro athletes to music legends to that cool kid down the street who always seems to know what’s coming next.
And in this latest reimagining, Brain Dead has taken the Stan Smith’s classic, minimalist canvas and scribbled all over it with their signature blend of creativity and rebellion.
The new design swaps out the standard plain laces for some chunky, contrasting ones that look like they could double as mountain-climbing ropes.
The familiar perforated stripes? Gone. Instead, you’ve got Brain Dead’s “logo head” taking over, turning the side panels into a veritable billboard for their eclectic, underground vibe.
And the back padding—oh, that back padding! It’s now made from a raw, furry fabric that feels like it could have been plucked straight from the back of a particularly fashion-forward yak.
The new collection comes in four eye-catching colourways: Cream, Dark Green, Light Blue, and Pink.
These aren’t your everyday shades; they’ve got a richness and depth that makes each pair feel like a statement piece.
It’s as if Brain Dead has given the Stan Smith a fresh coat of paint and a shot of adrenaline, taking its classic lines and pushing them into the future without losing an ounce of that vintage charm.
And, of course, a release like this wouldn’t be complete without a suitably offbeat campaign. Enter artist Ryan Decker, who’s teamed up with Brain Dead to launch the sneakers in a way that feels like stepping into a surrealist tennis match.
Think flying rackets, strange object assemblages, and enough oddities to make Salvador Dalí raise an eyebrow. It’s part animation, part dream sequence, and all Brain Dead.
For those ready to grab a pair and turn a few heads, you’ll want to move fast. This is a limited-edition drop, and it’s sure to be snapped up quicker than a free drop on the green.
The Brain Dead Stan Smiths will be available starting September 7th via the CONFIRMED app, selected adidas stores, certain retailers, and on Brain Dead’s own turf, wearebraindead.com.
The sign-ups for purchases through the CONFIRMED app kicked off on August 29th at 4 pm CET, so mark your calendars and set your alarms—this is one release you don’t want to sleep on.