Adidas has yanked plans to release its JS Roundhouse Mids after critics said its shackle-like ankle cuff was offensive and a symbol of slavery. The high-top sneaker with its orange plastic cuff, part of the brand’s ongoing collaboration with conceptual fashion designer Jeremy Scott, is reportedly simply a shoe-torial interpretation of the late-’80s “My Pet Monster” toy (same color scheme, same cuffs) but to many it screams slavery and prison.
“[The sneaker] is nothing more than designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery,” the company said in a statement released to the Associated Press. “Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, Adidas has received both favorable and critical feedback. We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace.”
While the fashion industry is notorious for creating trends from the most unorthodox of inspirations (Homeless chic. Granny chic. Grown women dressed as disheveled toddlers.) and Scott’s past runway collections have been homages to “The Flintstones”, “Mickey Mouse”, “The Simpsons” and “Rainbow Brite”, Adidas will have to chalk this one down as a jailhouse flop.
