If you’re like us, you’ll have seen the clips of people on social media debating what will be the next big shoe trend.
“What are we wearing this season?; What sneaker will be the new Adidas Samba for summer/winter?”, the fashion-focused creator always asks the camera.
Viewers vociferously pipe up with their predictions in the comments.
Well, we’re responding here with our own prediction: Wales Bonner never misses.
If that’s not a statement that lands with you, allow us to explain why you should know about the label’s latest release with Adidas.
Founded by British designer Grace Wales Bonner in 2014, Wales Bonner is a London-based fashion label with a growing profile.
Bonner graduated from lauded London fashion school Central Saint Martins and set about establishing her brand around an aesthetic the designer calls ‘soulful tailoring.’
“Bringing an Afro-Atlantic spirit to an idea of European luxury,” is how the designer has referred to her vision. It blends British tailoring with influential elements of other cultures, music and Bonner’s own heritage, plus a pinch of 70s and 80s nostalgia.
Originally focused on menswear, the label has since expanded to include collections intended for women, though plenty of pieces defy gender definitions.
Underlining Bonner’s high fashion credibility, in October 2025, she was named as the new menswear creative director at Hermès.
But back in 2020, sportswear giant Adidas also saw something compelling in Bonner’s approach. They teamed up with the designer on a sneaker collection that offered something new.
The footwear, described by Bonner as “the kind of Adidas trainers Bob Marley would have worn,” were first shown on the runway Wales Bonner’s London Fashion Week. Creating a buzz, they were quickly snapped up by fashion industry insiders and stylish celebrities, cementing the shoes as an ‘if-you-know-you-know” must-have.
Periodically releasing new designs, the shoes played with texture and colour, using iconic Adidas silhouettes in unexpected materials like patent leather, satin, and crochet. The also played up sports details like a large fold-over tongue from the German sportswear brand’s football boots. It changed up the vibe of the famous shoes, making them feel luxe, edgy and cool.
The other thing that helped drive popularity? You could never get your hands on them. The first, and subsequent releases have largely sold out quickly.
Which brings us to now. Heads up: six year’s on, the new adidas Originals by Wales Bonner collection has just dropped and it’s just as good as ever.
This time the collection includes a small selection of sportswear pieces – a rose-print football jersey, a pink track jacket – but the heroes remain those trainers. Brown snakeskin-print leather is used as a focus on Bonner’s new Gazelles, as well as pitch-ready Predator Elite football boots.
A pair of streetwear shoes is created from a mesh made to look like rattan basketry, while another puts cream black and caramel leather together in one look.
Now you know what to respond to those videos.
The Originals by Wales Bonner collection is available now at Adidas.
