Concept Lab: BAPE x Adidas AE 1 Pack

Anthony Edwards' rapid rise in the NBA has been impressive, with his first signature sneaker, the AE 1, paralleling, quickly becoming a standout hit in its own right. As his name continues to climb to the top of basketball stardom, his AE 1 sneaker has made its mark, earning a spot in countless “Sneaker of the Year” discussions. Together with releases like the Harden Vol. 9 and Dame 9, Adidas Basketball is solidifying its dominance in on-court kicks, positioning itself as the force to reckon with for the foreseeable future — and all without any marquee collaborations.

But what if Anthony Edwards decided to dip into the world of collaborations? Taking inspiration from the BAPE x Adidas collaborations seen in Dame Lillard’s line, we’ve imagined what a BAPE x Adidas AE 1 collaboration might look like. Our concept brings to life two potential colorways of the AE 1 and AE 1 Low, blending the iconic style of BAPE with the basketball culture of Adidas.

For the AE 1, we see a classic green camo pattern, one of BAPE’s most recognizable designs, paired with an olive-tinted mid-panel mesh. The shoe sits on a classic gum rubber sole, while the co-branded heels bring a subtle yet bold collaboration touch. The AE 1 Low opts for the red camo variant, set against a black-and-white sole, and features the signature co-branded heels.

While we’ve spoken to Adidas Hoops insiders, a collaboration for Anthony Edwards’ signature line seems not on the horizon just yet. But as sneakerheads and creatives, imagining what could be is always fun. Who knows — maybe we’ll see this collaboration come to life someday. Until then, we can only dream, customize, and create.