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A Virginia-branded shoe that completely bypassed Virginia? That's exactly what happened with Pharrell Williams' latest Adidas collaboration, the Jellyfish, and locals aren't happy about it. 

When Skateboard P revealed his chunky new silhouette with "Virginia" proudly emblazoned on the tongue, 757 natives were ecstatic. Finally, a high-profile sneaker representing our home! The excitement quickly turned to frustration when the release locations were announced – Washington DC was the closest option, with no Virginia stores or pop-ups making the list. How does a shoe explicitly celebrating Virginia exclude the very state it's honoring?

The missed opportunities feel especially glaring given Pharrell's recent Virginia projects, including "The Dome" at Oceanfront. The infrastructure existed for something special – perhaps a seven-day rollout across the 757's seven cities, culminating in an oceanfront celebration? Instead, Virginia residents were left entering online raffles alongside everyone else worldwide, taking L after L while watching resale prices climb to $700. Now people who've never set foot in the Commonwealth walk around with "Virginia" on their feet, while locals who would have worn them with true pride were left empty-handed.

This release highlighted the ongoing challenges in Virginia's sneaker retail landscape, with limited boutiques carrying premium drops. While it's exciting to see our state represented globally through Pharrell's design, the execution left the hometown feeling forgotten. Here's hoping future colorways might include something special for the people who share Pharrell's Virginia roots – we're still rooting for you, P!

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