Denim Tears announces the Denim Tears Superstar 82 and Stan Smith 80, the first sneakers in a multi-year partnership with adidas Originals

Denim Tears and adidas Originals are beginning a multi-year partnership with two familiar silhouettes reworked through Tremaine Emory’s lens: the Superstar 82 and Stan Smith 80. The pair draws on the history of a plastic plaid bag that has traveled across communities and continents.

Emory looked to the everyday bag, first made in Hong Kong by a Chinese tailor in the 1970s and used across Asia on scaffolding, before making its way to Africa. African and Chinese immigrants brought it to the United States; it remains a fixture on New York’s Canal Street, carried by both communities. Emory has used the same pattern on Denim Tears shopping bags for the past two years.

“I want these symbols to be seen as American, because they are,” said Emory. “If someone sees this print and doesn’t see America, they’re seeing it wrong. The people who carry it are living here. They’re part of America, and what they do here matters.”

Both sneakers cover their cotton canvas uppers in red, black, blue and cream plaid. The Superstar 82 pairs the print with serrated 3-Stripes, deep blue detailing and an embroidered canvas heel tab; the Stan Smith 80 has perforated 3-Stripes and a deep green suede heel tab. Metal eyelets, rubber tooling and gold-foil adidas Originals and Denim Tears logos finish both designs. The collaboration is also featured at adidas.com/denimtears.

A new collaboration motif draws on the Sankofa, an Adinkra symbol of Ghana’s Akan people, placed on each shoe’s heel and tongue. Its name means “go back and get it,” expressing the idea of returning for what was left behind.

“It’s an honor to work with a legendary shoe brand that has done long-term partnerships with great designers that have come before me, and ones that are my highly respected contemporaries,” said Emory. “I look forward to Denim Tears adding to the story.”

When is the Denim Tears Superstar 82 and Stan Smith 80 available?

The Denim Tears Superstar 82 ($180 USD) and Stan Smith 80 ($160 USD) arrive November 7, 2026, at 11 AM EST, exclusively at African Diaspora Goods, 176 Spring Street in SoHo, New York. The November launch falls in Holiday 2026, spanning October through December. Check out images of the Denim Tears Superstar 82 and Stan Smith 80 below while we wait for more details about the launch.

For more on adidas Originals, check out our recent coverage of adidas Originals and Pharrell Williams Expand the VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish Lineup with New Red and Storm Colorways.