Sneaker blogs don’t tend to whisper about big-name collaborations. Once the first few mutterings of an exciting new release start to register in the sneakerverse, it quickly becomes a cacophony, with numerous sources all clamouring to break the news first. It was no different last November when, after the usual period of intense speculation and leaks, Prada unveiled its upcoming collaboration with adidas: the Italian brand’s take on the Superstar sneaker to mark the shoe’s 50-year anniversary.

While this seemed like a bold move, it’s also a logical one. Prada is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion labels with strong roots in technical apparel; adidas is a global sportswear giant. In today’s rapidly evolving style landscape – where the usual delineations of sport and streetwear are increasingly blurred – it feels like a match made in sneaker heaven.

For the initial drop, Prada took a light touch. The Optic white pair, the brand said, was intended as “a salute to the 50 years of the Superstar, an impeccable style icon”. This was essentially shorthand for “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Staying true to the sneaker’s original design philosophy, the label focused its attentions on the “hidden” manufacturing and construction elements of the Superstar. With “craft over everything” as the guiding principle, Prada replaced the uppers and serrated triple stripes with its premium Spazzolato Rois full-grain leather and relocated production to Italy. Plus, in limiting the release to just 700 pairs, the brand cemented its exclusivity. Unfortunately, that left a lot of us (and you) empty handed. Thankfully, it wasn’t the last we’d hear of it.

Those disappointed the first time around will be relieved to learn that the brand has dropped three new colourways: classic white with black stripes and accents, a stealthy all-black model and an extravagant silver pair, all of which have landed at MR PORTER. Their appearance is a little later than originally planned, but they’re more than worth the wait.

But, as with all good things that arrive on our shores, you can expect these iterations to sell out at a speed similar to the inaugural edition, so our advice is to be extra quick off the mark. We’ll race you…