Sneaker culture is no longer just about logos and performance, instead, it’s about storytelling, heritage, and identity. In recent years, global brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance have increasingly partnered with Regional designers, artists, and cultural icons to create collaborations that fuse traditional craftsmanship with modern streetwear where sneakers have become wearable pieces of culture.
In this list, we rank some of the most notable collaborations that bring Regional creativity to the forefront of global sneaker culture.
8.
Adidas Originals x Arwa Al Banawi Forum Low 84
Designer Arwa Al Banawi collaborated with Adidas Originals in 2021 on a signature Forum Low 84. The sneaker incorporated the traditional red-and-white checked pattern of the Saudi ghutra (headscarf) into its design, blending heritage symbolism with the classic basketball silhouette.
7.
Carpet Company x Nike SB Dunk High
Founded by brothers Ayman Abdeldayem and Osama Abdeldayem, the Baltimore-based Carpet Company infused their SB Dunk High with nods to their Arab roots and personal brand journey. The sneaker featured Arabic lettering, a “Habibi” shoutout, and semi-translucent blue overlays inspired by screen-printing techniques, reflecting both their creative process and cultural background.
6.
Adidas Originals Loomhood Collection
In 2025, Adidas partnered with local artisans from Dubai, Riyadh, and Cairo to launch the limited-edition Loomhood Collection. The collection reimagined two beloved silhouettes—the Samba OG and Handball Spezial—with colorful custom laces inspired by traditional fabric patterns. By integrating local craftsmanship into globally recognised designs, the collection celebrated regional heritage while recontextualising it within modern sneaker culture.
5.
Frame Skate x Nike SB Dunk Low “Habibi”
Dubai-based retailer Frame Skate collaborated with Nike in 2020 to release the now-iconic “Habibi” Dunk. The sneaker features red, white, and green colorways, special laces, and Arabic calligraphy inside the collar. Drawing inspiration from colours commonly associated with several Arab national flags, the design resonated widely across the region.
4.
Benji x Lamia x Adidas Originals Tokyo & Japan Hi
In February 2026, Adidas partnered with Les Benjamins, founded by designers Bünyamin “Benji” Aydın and Lamia Al-Otaishan Aydın on a collection blending Anatolian rug and kilim motifs with contemporary streetwear. The collaboration produced Tokyo Benji Shoes and Japan Hi Lamia, combining textile heritage with forward-thinking sneaker design to create one of the year’s most distinctive releases so far.
3.
Studio FY7’s New Balance 992
Athlete-turned-model Younes Bendjima partnered with New Balance through his Paris-based Studio FY7 to reinterpret the brand’s iconic 992 silhouette. The design nods to his native Algeria, drawing inspiration from the dunes of southern Algeria and the historic architecture of Ghardaïa, whose geometry famously influenced architect Le Corbusier.
2.
Taqwa Bint Ali x Adidas Megaride Mary Jane & Adistar Pose
Tunisian-French designer Taqwa Bint Ali teamed up with Adidas on footwear blending ballet aesthetics with subtle North African cultural influences. The Adistar Pose ballerina sneaker, released in early 2025, tapped into the rising “balletcore” streetwear trend, pairing delicate silhouettes with a brutalist metallic edge.
1.
Ravi Restaurant x Adidas Superstar
In 2022, Adidas collaborated with the iconic Dubai eatery Ravi Restaurant to create a Superstar sneaker inspired by the restaurant’s uniforms and menu. Part of Adidas’ “adilicious” series, the shoe featured the restaurant’s signature colors and menu graphics printed on the insoles. The release sold out almost instantly, demonstrating the power of authentic community storytelling and the cultural impact of grassroots collaborations.
