Even in its darkest moments, adidas has a serious soft side. Well, more like a satin side. The adidas Japan sneaker in "Core Black/Wonder Mauve" has the elegant quintessence of a ballet slipper mixed with some sporty satin charm.

Soft black satin gives the adidas Japan shoe a sleek, pointe shoe-esque base while the sneaker’s big ballet aura is heightened by the pink Three Stripes and matching tongue branding.

Now, the Japan doesn't have quite the same dance-power as Caroline Hu's adidas Taekwondo or the Samba Mary Jane Ballet, but it's definitely in the troupe.

Recently, satin-submerged sneakers have become something of a mainstay for adidas, with notable examples like Grace Wales Bonner's Karintha LB sneaker and CLOT's clever satin Gazelle.

So this isn't the first time adidas has ventured into the wonderful world of satin uppers, it is the first time the Japan sneaker has taken on such a silken form.

Originally released as a training shoe during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the adidas Japan is prone to much fluffier renditions. Take a look at the tan-hued, full-fur adidas Japan or the ultra-luxe pony hair Japan sneaker. Light or dark, adidas' Japan is known for a hairy good time or two. 

But the satin adidas Japan, available on the adidas website for $100, is expanding the sneaker’s textural range into decidedly silker settings.

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