The 38a x adidas Superstar 'Queens & Kings' Celebrates Black and Brown Artists
The Whitaker Group is a mammoth creative brand that sits at the intersection of retail, community, culture, and experience via a range of brands like , BeSOCIAL and . The latter sits on the experiential side of their multi-faceted business, as it is an art gallery specifically for nurturing and celebrating Black, Brown and minority exhibitions, programs and workshops. The main space in Pittsburgh has now been complemented by a studio in Charlotte that opens on November 15 with a special exhibition titled ‘Queens & Kings: A Tale of Two Cities’. The debut exhibit will be further marked by a partnership with adidas on a special edition 38a x ‘Queens & Kings’.
The iteration takes on a luxe all-black base, with white Three Stripes and heel accents adding contrast. The thick laces also continue the black and white theme with a dynamic pattern made with zig-zagging black stripes. The pair features several touches that mark it as a special edition, including the 38a branding on the tongue, king and queen art on the insole, ‘To the Queens and Kings’ inscribed on the inside of the tongue, and finally a Q and K on the heel. While the pair aren’t available for purchase, they have been widely gifted to global creators, artists and other instrumental contributors who align with 38a’s mission to support and spotlight underserved artists. On top of that, the campaign video for the pair will be unveiled at the exhibit and further celebrates the photographers heroed in the Charlotte event. It will serve as a symbol for the blend of street culture and royal heritage that embodies the local creative communities of both Charlotte and Pittsburgh.
‘This exhibit is a celebration of resilience and creativity that exists within our communities and a means to give more power to these creatives who are not given the same access in the art world,’ said Sean Beauford, co-curator of the exhibit. ‘We’re creating a space that authentically reflects the richness and diversity of experiences within our own cities, from our own vantage point.’
Curated by independent curators Evelyn Flores and Sean Beauford, the Charlotte exhibit will open Friday, November 15, 2024 and remain open until Friday, December 6, 2024. It will then move to the Pittsburgh location, opening on Friday, December 13 2024 and closing on Monday, December 30 2024.