adidas Originals x JENNIE SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET Releases September 1
adidas Originals and JENNIE have unveiled their full Fall/Winter 2026 collaborative collection, titled "Functional Grace," arriving September 1, 2026. The partnership marks JENNIE's elevation from brand ambassador to co-designer, centering on a reimagined SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET that fuses the iconic shell-toe with ballet pointe shoe aesthetics, alongside a complete apparel and accessories range rooted in classical dance.
By Ava Rodriguez
The Shift From Ambassador to Co-Designer
JENNIE's relationship with adidas Originals has matured into full creative partnership. Rather than a traditional celebrity endorsement, the South Korean artist has assumed genuine design input across the collection—a meaningful distinction that reshapes the typical brand-influencer dynamic. The resulting "Functional Grace" framework demonstrates how established athletic codes can absorb ballet vocabulary without compromising either heritage or modernist intent.
Design Details
The SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET stands as the collection's anchor piece. Adidas has squared off the legendary silhouette's toe box, borrowing formal language from pointe shoe construction while retaining the shell-toe's structural integrity. Premium leather comprises the upper, paired with soft lambskin lining for interior comfort. The customizable ribbon detailing signals the shoe's dual citizenship—street and studio—allowing wearers to personalize the piece beyond standard product photography.
The apparel narrative extends this ballet-meets-sportswear thesis across wraparound track tops and matching pants, knit wrap cardigans designed for deliberate layering, sheer bodysuits, and polar fleece half-zip hoodies. Accessories—high-knit leg warmers and cut-out socks—anchor the collection's aesthetic consistency without feeling overdetermined. Each silhouette prioritizes construction detail: wrap elements that reference dance warm-up culture, sheer fabrics that balance opacity and transparency, and fleece weight calibrated for contemporary fit expectations rather than oversized sportswear nostalgia.
Campaign and Creative Direction
The accompanying campaign, titled "Cosmic Ballerina: Kinematics," situates the collection within a dreamlike, futuristic space. Rather than documentary product shots, adidas and JENNIE have framed the work as speculative—a surreal interpretation of modern femininity that draws from classical ballet while refusing its constraints. The visual language emphasizes quiet confidence and fluid movement, positioning the pieces as functional rather than decorative despite their elevated detailing.
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Release Information
The adidas Originals by JENNIE FW26 "Functional Grace" collection releases globally on September 1, 2026. Distribution includes select adidas flagship locations, the adidas CONFIRMED app, adidas.com/JENNIE, and authorized global retail partners. Pricing has not been disclosed at this time.
FAQs
When does the adidas Originals x JENNIE collection release? The full "Functional Grace" collection drops globally on September 1, 2026, across adidas flagships, CONFIRMED app, and select retail partners.
What is the SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET? The SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET is a redesigned version of adidas's classic shell-toe sneaker that incorporates ballet pointe shoe aesthetics, featuring a squared-off toe box, premium leather upper, lambskin lining, and customizable ribbon detailing.
Where can I buy the adidas Originals by JENNIE collection? The collection is available through select adidas flagship stores, the adidas CONFIRMED app, adidas.com/JENNIE, and authorized global retail partners starting September 1, 2026.
Release Info
Collection: adidas Originals by JENNIE FW26 "Functional Grace"
Release Date: September 1, 2026
Retail Price: Not disclosed
Where to Buy: adidas flagship stores, adidas CONFIRMED app, adidas.com/JENNIE, select global retail partners
