Adidas is cancelling plans for a sneaker with a shackle-like ankle cuff that some critics say too closely resembles a symbol of slavery.
The company announced Monday that it would withdraw the JS Roundhouse Mid, made in collaboration with fashion designer Jeremy Scott.
The sneaker was supposed to be a reboot of a classic high-top sneaker with a strap across the middle. A preview was offered months ago and generated little chatter, but the company recently started promoting it on its Facebook page.
Adidas said it had received both positive and negative feedback and the company denied any suggestion that the design was linked to slavery.
Scott is known as one of fashion's more outrageous characters. Adidas said he is heralded for a style that is "quirky and lighthearted."
