Adidas has officially made its mark in the luxury fashion world with the introduction of its A-Type collection. This new high-end line transforms the brand’s iconic sportswear into a premium experience through top-tier craftsmanship and exquisite materials. The collection’s exclusive debut at New York Fashion Week 2025 signified a major move for the sportswear powerhouse as it aims to bridge the gap between functional apparel and high fashion.

A-Type showcases Adidas’s dedication to elevating its classic designs. Handmade in Italy and crafted from luxury-grade fabrics, the pieces in this collection redefine the brand’s traditional aesthetic with a refined, sophisticated twist.

odel Selena Forrest in Adidas’ new A-Type line. (Gabriel Moses/Adidas)

A Step Beyond Collaborations

For years, Adidas has partnered with luxury fashion houses like Gucci, Prada, and Balenciaga to create exclusive collaborations. However, A-Type marks the company’s first independent high-fashion label within its Originals family. This shift demonstrates Adidas’s ambition to carve out its own space in the world of luxury.

“A-Type represents the evolution of sport into a more refined, premium space,” a brand spokesperson stated at the NYFW launch. “This collection isn’t just about sportswear—it’s about redefining craftsmanship and exclusivity for a new generation of enthusiasts.”

The Luxury Collection

The A-Type lineup remains true to Adidas’s heritage while incorporating high-end materials like premium Italian leather and sterling silver details. The color scheme focuses on sleek black-and-white designs, reinforcing the brand’s minimalist luxury approach.

Key pieces include:

– A reimagined Superstar sneaker, featuring luxury leather, cashmere shoelaces, and silver-plated lace tips. It comes packaged in an ultra-premium box with wooden shoe trees and signature white gloves.
– The Firebird tracksuit and shorts, inspired by the 1980s, made using handcrafted leather and cashmere-blended t-shirts.
– A redesigned Airliner bag, originally from the 1970s, now upgraded with supple leather and high-end metal accents.
– A sterling silver jewelry collection, featuring Trefoil-inspired rings, earrings, and pendants crafted in pure silver.

Star Power and Exclusive Access

To mark the occasion, Adidas revealed a star-studded campaign featuring rapper Pusha T, skateboarder Tyshawn Jones, and models Selena Forrest, Fiffany Luu, and Paloma Elsesser. Attendees at NYFW were given a rare first look at the collection, which is currently only available to Adidas’s exclusive circle of “friends and family.” A wider public release is rumored to follow later this year.

Skateboarder Tyshawn Jones, who has collaborated with Adidas for years, expressed his excitement about the collection. “It’s crazy to see how Adidas is turning street classics into elevated luxury—it’s something truly different,” he said.

Controversy and Criticism

Not everyone welcomed the A-Type launch. Animal rights organization PETA staged a protest outside the NYFW venue, criticizing Adidas’s use of animal-derived leather. Activists held signs and chanted slogans, condemning the brand for sourcing materials from animals such as ostriches.

PETA’s President, Ingrid Newkirk, urged Adidas to move toward cruelty-free alternatives. “If Adidas can make sustainable sneakers, it can also stop using tormented animals for its luxury collection,” she stated. The organization pointed out that Adidas has previously explored ethical and vegan materials in other collections, urging the brand to take a more sustainable approach with A-Type.

A Bold Step Into the Future

Despite some controversy, the A-Type collection is a major moment in Adidas’s evolution. By merging sports culture, streetwear, and high-end craftsmanship, the brand is entering a space traditionally dominated by luxury fashion houses.

With the demand for premium lifestyle products rising, Adidas’s investment in handmade, carefully crafted items could signal a new era for sneaker culture and sportswear. Whether A-Type becomes a long-term endeavor or a limited experiment, it has certainly sparked curiosity within both the fashion and sneaker communities.

As anticipation builds for the wider public release, one thing is clear—Adidas is no longer just a sportswear brand. It is now a serious player in the world of high fashion.