Adidas commissioned 12 women artists to create a special, one-of-a-kind Ultraboost X sneaker for each US state.
Adidas had artists create a pair of sneakers to represent every US state — here's what they look like
Each one-of-a-kind Adidas sneaker represents a state, as interpreted through one of 12 artists.
The artists, who were chosen with the help of Refinery29, used a variety of mediums to recreate iconic, state-appropriate imagery on the shoes. Wisconsin's cheese, Georgia's peaches, and Vermont's green mountains are all accounted for in a unique way.
The sneakers are being sold in an online auction, and all of the proceeds will go to Women Win, a charity devoted to advancing women's leadership. Interested parties can place a silent bid on the shoes until July 11.
Take a look at how the artists represented each of the 50 US states. All shoe descriptions are by the artists.
Alabama
Artist:
"I took inspiration from the Alabama state flower, which is a beautiful pink camellia."
Alaska
Artist:
"My shoe for Alaska was inspired by snow-covered glacial mountains rising from icy depths."
Arizona
Artist:
"For Arizona I wanted to capture the desert sunset gradient and the colorful cacti that fill it."
Arkansas
Artist:
"I am drawn to Arkansas's state flag, which represents the state's patriotism. Arkansas is also known for their diamond mines that I incorporated into the design."
California
Artist:
"California brings to mind an ombre sky at sunset transitioning from navy to purple, bright red, and yellow, to black with palm trees cast against it."
Colorado
Artist:
"I looked to the state gems and stones for inspiration, which is aquamarine for Colorado."
Connecticut
Artist:
"I was inspired by Connecticut's spring foliage and cherry blossom tree-lined streets."
Delaware
Artist:
"I am inspired by the Delaware River and its beautiful colors and textures."
Florida
Artist:
"Monstera deliciosa is a unique foliage that thrives in hot and humid climates and can climb high up trees and palms."
Georgia
Artist:
"Using food as a uniting factor and symbol of community, I created this sneaker with Georgia's most famous cuisine in mind: peaches."
Hawaii
Artist:
"I wanted this shoe, more than any of the other shoes, to feel that clashing of earth meets water. I feel rooted here, and every symbol on the pair of shoes has a story to tell."
Idaho
Illinois
Artist:
"For Illinois, I wanted to bring it back to elementary school days where we focused on the state bird, crops, and the state flower."
Indiana
Artist:
"I focused on a checkered flag motif to represent the Indy500 — an ode to one of the state's biggest sports, racecar driving. Regardless of sport, art can always intersect to bring unity to all things athletic."
Iowa
Artist:
"Gorgeous green patchwork reflects Iowa's bountiful tapestry of farmland."
Kansas
Kentucky
Artist:
"To represent Kentucky and one of its most famed events, the Kentucky Derby, I used mint and roses."
Louisana
Artist:
"Louisiana is well known for Mardi Gras, so I wanted to show the energy of celebration, recycle the iconic color palette, and make the shoe itself feel like a party on your feet."
Maine
Artist:
"Using food as a uniting factor and symbol of community, I created this sneaker with Maine's most famous cuisine in mind: fresh lobster."
Maryland
Artist:
"Maryland's swift silvery scales and vibrant blue sole reflect the rich and abundant life off Maryland's coast, including its most renowned maritime resident, the Chesapeake Blue Crab."
Massachusetts
Artist:
"Inspired by the Ivy League in Massachusetts, I took on a varsity theme for this design."
Michigan
Artist:
"The soles of this shoe stay white like the frozen ice in the winter time of Michigan."
Minnesota
Artist:
"I was inspired by ice skating on lakes. These shoes symbolize silliness, light-hearted spirits, and an ode to being on 'lakes of ice.'"
Mississippi
Artist:
"I looked to the state gems and stones for inspiration, which is petrified wood for Mississippi."
Missouri
Artist:
"I was inspired by the rolling hills landscape from blue sky to green, and amber waves of grain."
Montana
Artist:
"The bitterroot flower, Montana's state flower, is also known as the resurrection flower because of its perseverance through the dry season. Its petals are rich in pinks and have a strong, graceful form."
Nebraska
Artist:
"Nebraska was inspired by their state flower, goldenrod, shining against a pretty prairie sunrise."
Nevada
Artist:
"Nevada is well known for Vegas and I wanted to include the beautiful showgirls. The color blue is also playful and relaxing, just like a vacation in the city."
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Artist:
"New Jerseyans take pride in their flat-crust, full-bleed sauce and cheese pizza, maybe even more than New Yorkers do."
New Mexico
Artist:
"I am very inspired by the landscape specific to New Mexico, including its vast desert and the plants that flourish there."
New York
Artist:
"For New York, I wanted to integrate graffiti typography through splattered paint and more."
North Carolina
Artist:
"The Venus flytrap is North Carolina's most famous natural legacy found in the subtropical wetlands."
North Dakota
Artist:
"North Dakota brings to mind elk, mountain landscapes, and bison."
Ohio
Artist:
"I am inspired by Ohio's infamous buckeye tree, which adds color and history to the shoe design."
Oklahoma
Artist:
"My design for Oklahoma was inspired by wheat fields & tornadoes."
Oregon
Artist:
"I wanted to keep this shoe clean and pure. It is my balance of hard work indoors and fun work outdoors."
Pennsylvania
Artist:
"Pennsylvania is known for its scenery, so I added some historical icons and nature elements."
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Artist:
"Using food as a uniting factor and symbol of community, I created this sneaker with South Carolina's most famous cuisine in mind: shrimp and grits."
South Dakota
Artist:
"A tiny adventurer scales the breathtaking and rugged mountain scenery of South Dakota."
Tennessee
Artist:
"Using food as a uniting factor and symbol of community, I created this sneaker with Tennessee's most famous cuisine in mind: smoky Memphis-style BBQ."
Texas
Artist:
"I looked to the state gems and stones for inspiration, which is blue topaz for Texas."
Utah
Artist:
"I am very inspired by Utah's natural wonders, such as the canyons and mountains."
Vermont
Artist:
"I was inspired by the Green Mountain maidenhair fern, a rare plant found only in serpentine rock, named for the site of its discovery in the Green Mountains of Vermont."
Virginia
Artist:
"For Virginia, I took inspiration from the bright red and black cardinal, which is the state bird."
Washington
Artist:
"For this design, I pulled mostly from my love for the ocean."
West Virginia
Artist:
"West Virginia is the mountain state, so I wanted to work that into the design."
Wisconsin
Artist:
"Using food as a uniting factor and symbol of community, I created this sneaker with Wisconsin's most famous cuisine in mind: cheese."
Wyoming
Artist:
"I looked to the state gems and stones for inspiration, which is a nephrite jade for Wyoming."