Pharrell Williams is walking away with one of the footwear world’s highest honors.
The multihyphenate artist, producer, and designer will receive the Shoe of the Year award at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAAs), it was announced Monday (Nov. 10), in recognition of his bold and boundary-pushing Virginia Adistar Jellyfish collaboration with Adidas.
“I dreamed of a shoe that felt alive, something that moved like water, that had its own rhythm, energy and glow,” Williams said 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.”
The sneaker, which quickly became a streetwear standout this year, fuses performance-ready materials with visual design inspired by aquatic life. Its sculptural silhouette and luminous finish made it one of the most talked-about shoes in 2025 — and one of Adidas’ most ambitious collaborative launches to date.
“Pharrell’s partnership with Adidas continues to redefine what creative collaboration in footwear can look like,” said Michael Atmore, chief brand officer of Fairchild Media Group and editorial director of Footwear News. “The Virginia Adistar Jellyfish reflects his singular ability to connect culture, community, and craft.”
The 2025 FNAAs — often referred to as the “Shoe Oscars” — will take place on Dec. 3 at a new venue: Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. The event will also honor Tommy Hilfiger with a Lifetime Achievement Award, Coco Gauff as Style Influencer of the Year, and Ronnie Fieg as Person of the Year.
Other honorees include Jordan Brand (Brand of the Year), New Balance x Miu Miu (Collaboration of the Year), and Nordstrom (Retailer of the Year).
This marks Pharrell’s latest win in a standout year — from curating the Louis Vuitton menswear line to redefining sneaker culture with one of Adidas’ most visually daring designs.
