An Italian-grown Superstar is what happens when the German sportswear giant takes one of its most beloved sneakers and decides to luxury it up, from outsole to shell toe.

The adidas Superstar has already had a big year. A renewed push put the 55-year-old basketball sneaker back in focus, crystalized by a campaign starring superstars in their own right, from Samuel L. Jackson to Missy Elliott. 

From there came a wave of reworks, some wildly expressive, others leaning fully into bling. The adidas Originals Superstar LUX Made in Italy “Core Black” sits firmly on the other end of that spectrum.

This pair is intentionally restrained. Almost entirely monochromatic, the upgrade here is material-driven rather than visual. The shoe is crafted from high-quality Italian leather, with leather used across the upper, tongue, and lining. 

Even the familiar shell toe feels more deliberate in this context.

A slightly thicker leather midsole nudges the silhouette closer to a dress shoe than a gym floor, pushing the Superstar well beyond its basketball origins.

Set to release later this year on adidas’ website for $420, this isn’t a sneaker meant for careless wear. And it isn’t a one-off experiment, either. adidas has been quietly exploring this territory through its Italian-made artisanal line, reworking flat-footed Gazelles and even rolling out $800 Superstars in 2025.

For a brand that will always be a German sportswear giant, adidas is increasingly comfortable borrowing the posture of an Italian luxury label. Or at least cosplaying as one. Releases like this make that shift feel deliberate, not decorative.

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