James Whitner and his retail conglomerate, The Whitaker Group, have announced a new partnership with Adidas.
Dubbed “Do Not Duplicate,” the storytelling platform is centered around multi-season product drops and visual campaigns created by The Whitaker Group’s brands, made up of A Ma Maniere, APB, Jaide, and Social Status. Each of the upcoming footwear releases will be limited to around 250 to 500 pairs, which the brand says is designed to prioritize originality over mass reproduction.
“Do Not Duplicate is about protecting the integrity of individuality and giving people the power to choose,” says Whitner. “Our creativity comes from lived experience, not borrowed references. What we create sets its own standard because it is rooted in truth. That is not something that can be copied.”
Each release from The Whitaker Group and Adidas’ “Do Not Duplicate” partnership will highlight Black creators and how they move through sport and culture. The multi-season drops will roll out in waves throughout 2026 via a series of activations, films, and moments.