Nora Vasconcellos’s adidas Signature Pro Silhouette Is a Force of Positivity
Pro skateboarder and illustrator Nora Vasconcellos has become first woman rider to receive and design her own Signature Pro silhouette! adidas and Vasconcellos debuted the NORA by Nora Vasconcellos collection last month, featuring the Pro silhouette alongside a range of apparel. For the Signature Pro, Vasconcellos fused design cues from adi’s Steffi Graf, Nastase and other classics into one sleek model – creating something that wouldn’t look out of place in her mum’s closet in the 90s.
To celebrate the release of the latest cloud white and shadow navy colourway, we chatted to Vasconcellos on her journey into skateboarding, how she’s breaking down the stigma around mental health, what she’s aiming to achieve and more!
What’s your relationship with sneakers? Did you rock the Three Stripes growing up?
Oh, I loved adidas growing up. I remember Nelly Furtado and Missy Elliott rocking the shell toes for years, and I just wanted to look that cool. I played indoor soccer as well – the Samba was a huge staple.
As a prominent female skater, what are some things you’re hoping to improve in the industry?
Overall, support and representation for non-cis male skaters is very important. Keep skateparks and skate communities inclusive and safe for everyone. I just hope more kids can use skating as a positive tool for empowerment and growth in their own lives. Having a shoe means the world to me because I hope I can be someone I didn’t have. Young people seeing people who look like them – who represent them – thriving is so important.