Brand Story
The lifestyle arm of Adidas, anchored by Superstar, Stan Smith, Samba, and Gazelle. Yeezy and Wales Bonner kept it culturally relevant.
Timeline
- 1949
Adidas founded in Germany
Adolf Dassler founds Adidas in Herzogenaurach, Germany after splitting from his brother Rudolf (who would start Puma).
- 1965
Stan Smith tennis shoe
Originally named after Robert Haillet, renamed for tennis star Stan Smith in 1971. Becomes one of the best-selling sneakers ever.
- 1970
Superstar debut
First low-top basketball shoe with all-leather upper. Adopted by Run-DMC in 1986, marking sportswear's first hip-hop crossover.
- 1972
Three Stripes Trefoil logo
Trefoil logo introduced for the original sports line — later becomes the symbol of Originals.
- 1997
Originals subline established
Adidas Originals branched as the lifestyle/heritage division, distinct from the performance line.
- 2013
Kanye West Yeezy partnership
Yeezy launches in 2015 after Kanye West leaves Nike. Becomes one of streetwear's most influential partnerships before its 2022 dissolution.
