John Kim Pharrell revives yet another archival gem in the adidas VIRGINIA Watermoc aka the Starfish. During Paris Fashion Week, the multi-hyphenate’s Skateboard digitial imprint officially unveiled the modern reinterpretation of the Equipment Water Mo, a shoe that first debuted in 1997. While the original was designed for amphibious activities, Pharrell’s version updates the concept with a more fashion-forward execution while preserving the model’s lightweight, outdoor-inspired DNA.
Like its predecessor, the VIRGINIA Watermoc features a technical upper designed for water sports, paired with a low-profile rubber outsole built for traction on wet surfaces. Pharrell’s most notable addition is a new midfoot strap that extends from the medial side of the collar, wraps across the foot, and secures along the lateral side with an elastic cord, giving the silhouette a more secure fit while introducing a distinctive visual element.
The outsole design has a lot of overlap on preceding models as well; the distinct lugs on the bottoms as well as the grooved midsole calls back to the Carnuba Adventure Moc from the brand’s Adventure initiatives in the mid-2000s.
Five launch colorways have already been revealed, including red, yellow, blue, green, and black, each emphasizing the model’s minimalist shape and technical construction. As of now, a firm release date hasnt’t been announced, although it is expected to debut in September with a $220 MSRP.
