In the highly anticipated movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever which hits theaters this weekend, includes custom costumes and sneakers for the characters Shuri, Okoye and Riri, which were designed in collaboration with adidas and Marvel Studios.
Adidas' innovation and design teams, led largely by female and BIPOC designers — including former participants in the brand's S.E.E.D. program — have developed a groundbreaking new approach to costume design under the leadership of Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.
Seven unique costumes were created, which include both clothing and shoes for the characters Shuri, Okoye and Riri. For the designs, adidas has used its most advanced technologies to create unique and groundbreaking looks.
Each piece of clothing was inspired by the respective character, whose personality determines the aesthetics of the innovation. The shoes were also designed to reflect Wakanda's futuristic environment and support the film's functional aspect and individual storylines.
‍
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5ff5c4fcf7154c1c91f670a0/636b5db275bf32a34f252ac3_adidas-featured-in-black-panther-2-wakanda-forever%20(2).jpg)
‍
Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter about the collaboration: "adidas has been a part of hip hop and black culture and fashion since the 80s. To work with the adidas design team to bring our visions to life for the Wakanda Forever costumes was an exciting and wonderful collaboration.
I was invited to experience some of adidas’ most futuristic technologies and given the opportunity to decide which innovations we would use within the outfits that would best reflect the environments of Wakanda.
Myself and the Marvel team had a clear idea on what we wanted to achieve before we started working on the costumes for the film. Together, with adidas, our ideas were able to evolve in imaginative ways until we ended up with the inspired breath-taking outfits that you can see throughout the film."
‍
![Costume Design by adidas & Marvel Studios - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5ff5c4fcf7154c1c91f670a0/636b5dc430a2d0282eebecb0_adidas-featured-in-black-panther-2-wakanda-forever%20(4).jpg)
‍
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 are 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."
The collection was created by a team of industry-leading designers, including students from the adidas School for Experiential Education Design (S.E.E.D.) — a strategic initiative to introduce new talent to the design industry, created in collaboration with the Pensole Design Academy.
At Pensole's “Brooklyn Creator Farm”, the first class, Generation 2020, took part in finding creative ideas for the custom-made Adidas shoes shown in the film.
‍
![Costume Design by adidas & Marvel Studios - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5ff5c4fcf7154c1c91f670a0/636b5dd488e3e9ea650e3753_adidas-featured-in-black-panther-2-wakanda-forever%20(1).jpg)
‍
Eliya Jackson, former S.E.E.D. student and current adidas designer, said: "Designing for Marvel and adidas on this once in a lifetime project was a very special experience. Getting to tap into a project that focuses on product design through a cinematic lens and understanding that the product will be interpreted in a bigger and more magical way on screen was incredibly inspiring and exciting.
The project has pushed me as a product and footwear designer to think about product creatively, with no restraints; and to imagine big. I know the designs will play into the bigger impact the movie has on my culture and the millions of people of colour around the world who watch it, which to me is the most special thing."
‍
![futuristic adidas Sneaker worn by Riri in Black Panther:Â Wakanda Forever](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5ff5c4fcf7154c1c91f670a0/636b5de376a5263fe3cb719e_adidas-sneaker-in-black-panther-2-wakanda-forever.jpg)
‍
The tailor-made costumes for the characters were put together according to individual looks and consist of four “Lab Looks” and two “Flight Suit” costumes for Shuri as well as a “Knit Look” and a “Tech Fit” look for Okoye.
The costumes will be on display in Marvel Studios' “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which will hit theaters worldwide on November 11.
‍
‍
![adidas Track Top Jacket & Ray-Ban sunglasses in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5ff5c4fcf7154c1c91f670a0/636b5df381e07d3c8b8367d0_adidas-featured-in-black-panther-2-wakanda-forever%20(3).jpg)
‍
Photos via adidas