Pharrell Williams Honored With Footwear News Shoe of the Year Award

Pharrell Williams and Adidas have been honored with the Shoe of the Year award at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards for their collaboration, the Virginia Adistar Jellyfish. The sneaker was first previewed at Paris Fashion Week in January with a silhouette reveal. The sneak peek lived up to the hype. Pharrell and Adidas first released the shoe in orange, then revamped it with an exclusive blue colorway that spoke to the original concept behind the design.

“I dreamed of a shoe that felt alive, something that moved like water, that had its own rhythm, energy and glow,” Williams shared in a statement. “The Virginia Adistar Jellyfish started as a really big idea that we kept pushing, shaping, refining until it became real. I wanted it to feel fluid, futuristic, and free, not just another shoe but a living design. Seeing people connect with that spirit is the most rewarding part.”

Williams joins fellow 2025 FN Achievement Awards honorees Coco Gauff, Ronnie Fieg, and Tommy Hilfiger, who will be honored with a lifetime achievement award.

“Pharrell’s partnership with Adidas continues to redefine what creative collaboration in footwear can look like, pushing boundaries in both design and storytelling,” said Michael Atmore, Chief Brand Officer of Fairchild Media Group and Editorial Director of Footwear News and Editor-in-Chief, WWD. “The Virginia Adistar Jellyfish reflects his singular ability to connect culture, community, and craft.”

Williams’ ties to fashion run deep. In 2024, he made his official debut as Louis Vuitton’s new menswear creative director, unveiling his breakout collection at the LV Spring/Summer runway show. Williams took over the role following the death of Virgil Abloh, who served as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection from 2018 until his death in 2021.

“When I’m moving in those spaces, I always kind of like to bend the rules a little bit,” Williams told Vogue ahead of the Virginia Adistar Jellyfish launch. “I’m not looking for attention, but I don’t necessarily want to blend in.”