CrypticVillain Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Yahoo:Adidas "Shackle" Sneakers Create Controversy By Joanna Douglas A new Adidas sneaker has sparked outrage, with sneaker fans accusing the brand of promoting racism. The Roundhouse Mid "Handcuff" shoe, created by controversial New York designer Jeremy Scott, features a plastic orange shackle that attaches to each ankle. The $350 sneakers hit stores in August, but Adidas promoted them on their official Facebook page on June 14 with this quote: "Tighten up your style with the JS Roundhouse Mids, dropping in August. Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?" While the brand may be making a cheeky statement about shoe theft, many are equating these binding devices with slavery and prisoners. At press time the "Handcuff" sneaker image has over 36,000 Facebook likes, but many of the comments are angry and disapproving. Honestly, I just think it was an artist being too creative on his designs. Unfortunately, it looks like Adidas made a mistake in not only promoting the shoe, but deciding to stick with it. Update:Adidas Withdraws ‘Shackle’ Sneakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 If ugly was a crime, Mr. Scott would be wearing a set of real ankle bracelets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I don't even care for laces, why the hell would I want that on me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Why the **** would you put something like that on a pair of shoes in the first place? I agree with you ML, just a case of being overly creative. It looks dumb as hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 That is just stupid looking regardless of the controversy. Running out of shoe designs and music it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticVillain Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 You know what, I guarantee you that just because people are talking about them, these shoes are going to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 MLS, They will sell because people know that it people won't wear them, but sell them. And Adidas might not even make them again for 20 years. The 350 price point makes it stupid though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckus Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Wow those are ugly. I don't understand how this is racist though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 You know what, I guarantee you that just because people are talking about them, these shoes are going to sell. I have no doubt. Probably teenagers, since it would seem like a lot of them (at least around where I live) have no concept of style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Wow those are ugly. I don't understand how this is racist though. My thoughts also. People will twist anything around nowadays to fit their agenda. Unless he came out with "Slave Brand" shoes, this is so stupid for people to even infer that it's racism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 The Germans being oblivious to cultural sensitivities? Never would have believed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattFancy Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 That shoe looks stupid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 http://www.amazon.com/Forty-Million-Dollar-Slaves-Redemption/dp/0609601202 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Adidas decided to not sell them. I think it was marketing genius on their part. Nike has been releasing shoes that start riots and get stolen. Adidas markets a shoe that "is so hot, you'll have to lock them on your feet". Enter the high end sneaker business while sending a shot across the bow of the king? Genius. Just so happens that in our PC world, the first thought always goes to how it could be offensive. Like a shoe company would intentionally try to alienate the market it is trying to enter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 The irony of paying $350 for shoes that make you look like slaves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HogNose Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 At first glance you'd think it was a picture from an ONION article. How the hell could something this ridiculous get a green light after a board room brainstorming session? :whoknows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 At first glance you'd think it was a picture from an ONION article. How the hell could something this ridiculous get a green light after a board room brainstorming session? :whoknows:Because they were looking at the most recent illustrations that people will do WHATEVER it takes to get the next big thing. Look at the tramplings and the robberies, and the riots associated with the Nike re-releases over the last couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I've always wanted to do a "Best Worst Basketball Shoe" playoff bracket. This would be a top 5 seed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corcaigh Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Wow those are ugly. I don't understand how this is racist though. It's obviously racist... only African Americans play basketball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HogNose Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Because they were looking at the most recent illustrations that people will do WHATEVER it takes to get the next big thing. Look at the tramplings and the robberies, and the riots associated with the Nike re-releases over the last couple years. Yeah, true. If they were marketing it for the next big midnight riot then yeah it would have been a success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popeman38 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Yeah, true. If they were marketing it for the next big midnight riot then yeah it would have been a success.Like I said a little earlier, it is marketing genius in the wrong time. "A shoe so hot, you have to lock it on your foot" is a GREAT shot across the bow of Nike. What could have been.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 At first glance you'd think it was a picture from an ONION article. How the hell could something this ridiculous get a green light after a board room brainstorming session? :whoknows: if you are faced with a dominant market leader like Nike, and you want to raise your profile, the best thing you can do is create a controversy and exploit it. All publicity is good publicity when you are in that situation. Marketing 101. ---------- Post added June-19th-2012 at 11:19 AM ---------- Adidas decided to not sell them.I think it was marketing genius on their part. Nike has been releasing shoes that start riots and get stolen. Adidas markets a shoe that "is so hot, you'll have to lock them on your feet". Enter the high end sneaker business while sending a shot across the bow of the king? Genius. Just so happens that in our PC world, the first thought always goes to how it could be offensive. Like a shoe company would intentionally try to alienate the market it is trying to enter. Whoops, you said it first. Credit to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticVillain Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 I thought Adidas was already doing better than Nike... Edit:I just looked at their stock prices, I was sadly mistaken... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HogNose Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I thought Adidas was already doing better than Nike...I just looked at their stock prices, I was sadly mistaken... This man will turn the Adidas tide...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticVillain Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Who that? Obama??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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