Sure, those “PORN”-emblazoned accessories and appearances by everyone from pop star Kylie Minogue to longtime fashion insider Tim Blanks all warrant conversation. But the biggest surprise to come out of JW Anderson's Fall/Winter 2026 campaign is the thus far underappreciated news of the first sneaker collab for Jonathan Anderson's namesake label in nearly 10 years. 

Plucked from Diadora’s archives, the Equipe was born in 1975 as a slim-fitting, suede paneled track shoe on low-profile soles, standard of its time. Upon first glance, those same features also make it a sneaker du jour, perfectly keeping with today's multi-textured and color-blocked Dries Van Notens and Miu Mius. 

More radical than these steppers is the notion that one of the most famous, most talked-about designers in the world — with access, surely, to just about any imaginable partner — would choose something as left-field as Diadora for his first-ever(!) sneaker collab. Especially when we know that Anderson's got the cred.

Because despite being around since 1948, Diadora has yet to make a significant dent in footwear tastes outside of its native Italy nor has it seemed bothered to try as much. But that might just be the point.

Once groundbreaking, a link-up between high and low doesn't pack the same punch in 2026, too accustomed have we become to such mergers. Unless it's a pairing as unexpected as JW Anderson x Diadora.

Anderson's buzzy job at Dior was bound to have an impact on his namesake company. By evolving its core offering, the JW Anderson business has grown to now encompass a litany of more moderately priced luxury items to broaden its appeal. Aside from the ever-approachable ready-to-wear, JW Anderson also offers household design goods and special “Made In Ireland” capsules.

Opting for the off-the-beaten-path and accessible Diadora rather than a more scene-established label like, say, adidas, fits the bill and sets the tone for a year in footwear that'll eventually have to rebound from shoezempic.

That is, a skinny lace-up shoe's no longer enough to cut through the noise nor is an obvious choice of streetwear-y footwear crossover. We're due a sneaker reset of sorts, and maybe Jonathan Anderson's eye for the unconventional could represent a gentle first push in the direction of, say, an oddball old school sneaker reprise. We'll Equipe you posted.

Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit HS Shopping for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.