The adidas Samba Celebrates Día de Muertos

(‘Day of the Dead’) is always a favourite holiday among sneakerheads. A time for celebrating and honouring deceased loved ones, the Mexican holiday falls on November 1 and 2 every year. It’s a time when families will honour and remember their deceased loved ones by creating altars (known as ‘ofrendas’), filled with offerings like food, drink, marigold and photos of the departed. The holiday is rooted in a blend of indigenous traditions, particularly those of the Aztec, and Spanish Catholicism.

Over the years, we’ve had some classic Dia De Muertos sneaker renditions, most famously the in 2006, an exclusive colourway for Mexican and Canadian markets. Still reselling for thousands of dollars today, the colourway was originally designed by Christian Salinas Medina, which portrays the Aztec God of the underworld exhaling souls into existence.

This year, it looks like are planning something special for the annual holiday, the adidas appearing in a duo of 'Dia de Los Muertos' renditions. Featuring exposed stitching across both colourways, the designs are replete with 'Dia de Los Muertos' iconography, including a Calavera character (the term ‘calavera’ means ‘skull’ in Spanish) and embroidered flowers on the modified eyestays. Coming in classic black and white compositions, the special-edition Samba also features the aforementioned Calvera character on the insoles. Down below, classic gum outsoles provide some vintage contrast to the contemporary design.

The duo of adidas Samba ‘Dia De Muertos’ colourways are expected to land sometime in September.