BLACKPINK's Jennie has teamed up with adidas Originals to give one of the brand's best-known silhouettes a distinctly ballet-inspired makeover, transforming the iconic Superstar into the new SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET.
The release marks Jennie's debut as a co-designer for adidas Originals, taking her relationship with the sportswear giant beyond her previous role as a brand ambassador and campaign face. Built around the concept of 'Functional Grace', the debut adidas Originals by JENNIE FW26 collection combines the brand's sporting heritage with elements inspired by ballet and Jennie's own creative perspective.
At the centre of the collection is the SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET, a new interpretation of the classic Superstar silhouette. The shoe replaces the familiar Superstar shape with a squared toe inspired by the form of a ballet pointe shoe, giving the familiar trainer a softer, more fashion-focused profile.
Deconstructing an Icon
The Superstar has long been associated with adidas Originals' sporting and streetwear heritage. Originally created for basketball, the silhouette went on to become closely linked with successive generations of streetwear, music and popular culture. Adidas has continued to revisit the design over the years, with Jennie's latest collaboration offering another contemporary interpretation of the familiar shape.
For the SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET, Jennie and adidas retain recognisable elements of the original design while introducing a more delicate aesthetic. The shoe features the signature Three Stripes alongside a squared toe and refined ribbon detailing, creating a visual connection between the classic Superstar and ballet footwear.
The construction also places an emphasis on premium materials. According to adidas, the shoe has a premium leather upper and soft lambskin lining, while removable laces give wearers different styling options. That detail is particularly important to the silhouette, as the laces have not been eliminated altogether but can instead be removed depending on how the shoe is worn.
The result is a more refined take on the Superstar that brings together the structure of a heritage sports shoe with the softness and elegance associated with ballet.
Jennie's 'Functional Grace' Vision
Ballet provides one of the central creative references for the collection, but adidas describes the wider concept as 'Functional Grace'. The idea explores the contrast between softness and strength, using ballet as a starting point while extending its influence into contemporary sportswear and everyday fashion.
Jennie was involved throughout the creative process, with adidas stating that her role extended from product creation and design to campaign ideation and the development of the overall creative concept. Her influence is therefore built into the collection itself rather than being limited to appearing in its promotional campaign.
In a statement released by adidas, Jennie said she wanted to reinterpret the classic identity of adidas Originals through her own perspective, bringing together the softness and restraint of ballet with its underlying strength.
The collection's campaign develops that idea through the concept of 'Cosmic Ballerina: Kinematics', placing Jennie in a surreal, dreamlike world inspired by the cosmos. The imagery presents ballet not simply as a traditional dance aesthetic but as a visual reference for movement, strength and freedom.
@jennierubyjane just gave the iconic Superstar a ballet-inspired makeover.
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) September 25, 2026
Meet the adidas Originals by JENNIE Superstar SQ Ballet Shoe, featuring a squared-off toe, removable laces, and ribbons you can wrap around your ankle like an actual ballet pointe shoe.
Available now on… pic.twitter.com/5yGfLFjKAJ
Release Details and Collection
The adidas Originals by JENNIE FW26 collection launched globally on 1 September 2026. The range is built around the SUPERSTAR SQ BALLET and includes a selection of reworked sportswear, layering pieces and accessories.
Alongside the footwear, the collection features reimagined track tops and track pants, layering T-shirts, wrap skirts, knit wrap cardigans, sheer sleeveless bodysuits, sheer leggings and polar fleece half-zip hoodies. Accessories include high-knit leg warmers and cut-out socks, adding further ballet-inspired touches to the sportswear-focused collection.
The collection brings together ballet-inspired detailing with the casual, athletic foundations of adidas Originals: the polished femininity associated with ballet and the casual, athletic foundations of adidas Originals. Rather than abandoning the Superstar's recognisable DNA, the collaboration reshapes it through a new silhouette and a more delicate design language.
For Jennie, the release marks a new stage in her partnership with adidas, moving her from ambassador to co-designer and giving her a more direct role in shaping the products and creative world surrounding the collaboration.
The collection is available through adidas.com, the adidas app, adidas Originals stores and selected retail partners, although availability can vary between markets.
