For the film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which hits theaters worldwide on Nov. 11, Adidas has partnered with Marvel Studios to create custom costumes and footwear for various characters in the film. Adidas innovation and design teams, led primarily by female and BIPOC designers, developed a new approach to costume design under the direction of Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Seven unique costumes were created, including both clothing and footwear for the characters Shuri, Okoye and Riri. Each garment was inspired by the respective character, whose personality drives the innovation’s aesthetic. The footwear was also designed to reflect the futuristic environment of Wakanda and support the functional aspect and individual storylines of the film.
“Adidas has been a part of hip hop and black culture and fashion since the 80s,” Carter said. “To work with the Adidas design team to bring our visions to life for the Wakanda Forever costumes was an exciting and wonderful collaboration.”
Emily Jagos, innovation design director at Adidas, said, “We want our work on these costumes and footwear to be remembered for their inventive take on functional innovation, and how they help tell the story of each scene they feature in. The most unique thing about these pieces is their connection to sport and performance; the women wearing them in the film play such powerful characters, and the connection between their outfits and performances innovations with the brand is really special.”
Designers for the costumes included students from the Adidas School for Experiential Education Design (S.E.E.D.), a strategic initiative to bring new talent into the design industry developed in collaboration with the Pensole Design Academy. At Pensole’s Brooklyn Creator Farm, the first class, Generation 2020, participated in creative ideation for the custom Adidas footwear featured in the film.
