In her second streetwear collection, the actress-producer pays homage to her culture, grandparents, and the global community.
The Personal, Powerful Story Behind Yara Shahidi’s Latest Adidas Collection
Yara Shahidi always goes the extra mile. The actress, producer, and Harvard undergrad gives her all with each project, especially when it concerns fashion. Last month Shahidi debuted a well-received sportswear collaboration with Adidas, which included stylish updates to tracksuits and (of course) the brand’s famous footwear. This month she’s back with round two.
Given the success of the first release, Shahidi knew the follow-up had to take things a step further. Her initial release incorporated details like Farsi text and patterns inspired by Iranian architecture, and this time around, she expands on those concepts. “So much of what I wanted to convey was about the ways we choose to express our cultures and identities,” she shared on the phone from Los Angeles. “It may seem like a lofty goal to try and communicate those messages through articles of clothing, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
On the surface, the lineup of colorful pieces feel like a luxurious athleisure collection, but look closer, and the details come to the forefront. Shahidi and the Adidas team drew inspiration directly from her family. Iranian on her father's side and African American on her mother's she like many people is a product of two cultures. That is aptly represented within her Adidas pieces, where personal references are peppered throughout. Her grandfather’s rug shop gets a shout out via prints on tracksuits and the rich colors of her patterned “Campus” sneakers—and the artwork of Iran. Seeing her name written in Farsi worked into the designs was powerful. “Initially, I didn’t understand the significance of taking an alphabet that has been weaponized and presenting it in fashionable light,” says Shahidi. “I’ve been so moved by people’s responses to that, seeing that such a diverse group of people gravitated to that was cool.”
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:CelebDailyPosts
