Collections tied to tournaments such as the World Cup tend to prioritize the larger and/or more successful countries, KidSuper and Bape are making sure everyone is represented in their latest sneaker collaboration.
The KidSuper x Bape Sta “SuperBape Cup” capsule features a colorway of the classic sneaker made for all 48 teams in the World Cup. Editions for 10 countries — United States, Mexico, England, France, Japan, Spain, Ghana, Argentina, Brazil and Portugal — will drop this week in stores, but that selection and the remaining 38 will also be made available for pre-order with a cap for production.
Each of the 48 sneakers go high-gloss and colorful with patent leather uppers. Most colorways have a straightforward tie to their respective countries’ flags, although some such as Japan are more representative of their kits. An abbreviation for each country is debossed near the lateral heel of the right shoe, and on the left is KidSuper’s fuller face logo. Pairs will also come boxed in action figure-style bubble packaging.
For the “SuperBape Cup” campaign, grandmothers from all 48 countries were photographed wearing the sneakers.
Bape first released the Sta in 2000, and for a long time it was a more overt duplicate of the Nike Air Force 1 Low. Subtle design changes would then come after a 2023 settlement stemming from Nike’s lawsuit against the Japanese streetwear brand.
KidSuper has also been involved in the World Cup through its partnership with Puma, as it designed a boot for Christian Pulisic to wear in the tournament.
The KidSuper x Bape Sta “SuperBape Cup” collection’s 10 premade sneakers will release Thursday through KidSuper and Bape stores, and pre-orders will also open up through a dedicated website at the same time. Pricing is set at $325.
KidSuper x Bape Sta “USA” (pair)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “USA” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “England” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “England” (heel)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “France” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “France” (packaging)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Japan” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Mexico” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Spain” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Ghana” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Argentina” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Brazil” (left lateral)
KidSuper x Bape Sta “Portugal” (left lateral)
