The adidas Superstar has never been afraid of the spotlight. From Pharrell to Samuel L. Jackson, it’s a sneaker that understands the power of visibility and has never shied away from a little shine.

The new “Beaded” Superstar II shoe taps into that lineage with a measured approach to bling. Rather than fully committing to rhinestone excess, adidas keeps things selective.

Light-catching beads appear across the sneaker’s shell toe, heel tab, and Three Stripes, while the rest of the sneaker sticks to familiar territory with an all-white leather upper.

The effect is deliberate, not loud. Sparkle as punctuation, not a full sentence.

That balance feels right for a shoe with this kind of history. For over 50 years, the Superstar has rotated through pop culture, from Run-D.M.C.’s era-defining co-sign to recent campaigns that have pushed the silhouette back into the spotlight. 

Along the way, it’s seen countless reinterpretations, including full-on Swarovski collaborations that leaned hard into glamour. The “Beaded” Superstar II sneaker lands somewhere in between, confident enough to shine without overwhelming the shape.

Set to release later this year for $140 on adidas’ website, the sneaker is part of a broader Superstar II push that’s experimenting with more unusual finishes, including pony-hair uppers and cow-print textures. It’s another reminder that the Superstar doesn’t need reinvention to stay relevant. Sometimes it just needs the light to hit it.

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