Regional artists create modern pieces to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Adidas Superstar


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The Adidas Originals Superstar trainer turns 50 this year. With its distinctive three side stripes and textured shell toe, it has long been something of a fashion staple, worn by sportspeople and snappy dressers around the globe.

To mark the sneaker's half century, Adidas is calling on creative talents across the world to express what the Superstar means to them.

In February, American actor Jonah Hill directed a video in homage to the sneaker, featuring names such as Pharrell Williams and footballer Paul Pogba. With everyone clad in Adidas Originals tracksuits and Superstars on their feet, the tagline was “change is a team sport".

Then in April, US rappers Run DMC released their latest collaborative version called the Superstar 50, which can be styled sans laces.

As part of the 50th birthday celebrations of the Adidas Original Superstar, rappers Run DMC released the Adidas x Run DMC collaboration. Courtesy Adidas
As part of the 50th birthday celebrations of the Adidas Original Superstar, rappers Run DMC released the Adidas x Run DMC collaboration. Courtesy Adidas

Now, the celebrations have moved to the Middle East, with Adidas Originals and FootLocker reaching out to six regional creatives to craft artwork for the project.

Scroll through the gallery above to see all six pieces.

Several took inspiration from the culture of this region, including Bahraini artist Mohamood AlSharqawi, who works under the name Huvil. The artist – who works as a air traffic controller by day – created a Pop Art-style image of a women wearing a burqa and Adidas logo earring.

Deyaa Rambo, meanwhile, a pioneer of the Saudi Arabian graffiti scene, produced a stylised image depicting Saudi men in ghutras, clutching paint spray cans.

Award-winning street artist Mubarak Al Malik also blended traditional and modern elements in his trademark cartoonish style. In his work, a woman in an abaya and burqa clutches an oud burner, while sporting a pair of Superstars on her feet.

Filipino artist Moks, founder of Cavity Collective and a street muralist, fused the past and present in his figurative painting, setting portraits of Run DMC members alongside the ultra-modern Dubai skyline.

Abrar from Kuwait, better known as BlackLightME, looked to graphic novels for inspiration for her artwork, alluding to female superheroes surfing and playing basketball in her completed piece.

Finally, Omani artist, producer and DJ Taher Majid delivered an Art Deco-inspired image that turned the Adidas logo into a rising sun.

By showcasing local artists' work in a global project, the hope is to inspire the next generation of creators.

The campaign will launch on FootLocker's Middle East website and social media channels on Saturday, August 1, with videos showing the artists creating their pieces in behind-the-scenes footage.

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Ben White, Pluto Press 

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'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

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Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage

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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Price: From Dh117,059

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1) Download your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/

2) Take it to the US Embassy

3) Deadline is October 15

4) The embassy will ensure all ballots reach the US in time for the November 3 poll

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