Willy Chavarria and Adidas Transform the Jabbar Into a Dress Shoe

Willy Chavarria and Adidas are preparing to deliver a fresh take on heritage sportswear this May, headlined by the debut of the Adidas Jabbar Dress Shoe.

The collaborative capsule sees the iconic basketball classic transformed into a low-top formal silhouette, channeling the kind of clever repurposing we've seen from figures like Edison Chen with the Gazelle and Superstar. True to Chavarria’s signature aesthetic, the updated Jabbar refrains from doing too much, instead relying on premium materials and clean contemporary touches to elevate the original.

Two versions of the new Jabbar Dress Shoe — one in black (pictured) and another in white — are expected to headline the collection. Each pair sports pointed toes, soft nubuck, suede, and leather construction, accented by gilded "KAREEM" sidewall branding, waxed laces, and tonal sole units that deliver understated elegance.

Alongside the formal reinterpretation, a third design will arrive based on the classic Jabbar sneaker itself, offering a more traditional but still elevated take on the Adidas archive staple.

Expect official imagery of the white Jabbar Dress Shoe and the updated Jabbar sneaker to surface soon, alongside previews of the apparel capsule, ahead of the whole collection’s release in May.

For other news from Adidas, we took a look back at the Superstar's 55-year journey from the hardwood to world-renowned style icon.