History of the adidas Brand and Model Selection
Trying to trace the history of adidas is to dive into a story of collaboration and innovation. As one of the oldest companies in the global sports and sneaker industry, there have obviously been many highs (and a few lows) over the past 70 years. How has one of the world's most iconic sports companies evolved over more than 70 years? Let's dive into adidas's past together.
How to Choose Your Pair of adidas Sneakers?
Choosing the right pair of adidas sneakers depends on several factors. First, you need to consider its main use: running, basketball, everyday use, or even indoor. Each model has its own USP (unique selling propositions), such as comfort, durability, or style. For example, the Stan Smith are perfect for a casual style, while the Terrex are ideal for outdoor activities.
Size is also a crucial criterion. You should check the subtitles of each model to choose the right size and avoid mistakes. adidas sneakers are also known for their different levels of cushioning and their soles specially designed for different sports surfaces. Therefore, it is important not to overlook the details: the materials, finishes like arrow outlines or filled logos that make each shoe unique. Finally, the price can vary depending on the models, but a pair of adidas sneakers is always a solid investment in terms of fashion and performance.
adidas, Where Does This Name Come From?
Although urban legend has it that the word adidas is an anagram of the phrase "all day I dream about sport" (which means "all day, I dream about sport" in French), the sportswear company actually derives its name from its founder: Adolph Dassler, nicknamed Adi Dassler. Born in Germany, Adi began making shoes in the 1920s. At the time of his death in 1959, Dassler held over 700 patents related to sports shoes and other sports equipment. Today, he is considered one of the founding fathers of the modern sports goods industry. His strong identity is still present in every pair of sneakers and shoes that the brand produces.
Where Does the adidas Sneakers Logo Come From?
At the heart of adidas's meteoric rise lies the intriguing story of its iconic three-stripe logo. But did you know that these stripes symbolize much more than a simple design? They embody the vision of Adi Dassler himself, a pioneer of clever marketing. In 1949, this visionary decided to display the three distinctive stripes on his products, aiming to represent the founding group "Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik". This unique mark, designed to be as recognizable as the famous trefoil, quickly transformed into an iconic symbol. A little-known detail? These three lines, originally simple, have evolved over the years, transitioning from a basic shape to a sophisticated visual identity, propelling adidas to unparalleled heights. A fascinating story where marketing, symbolism, and artistic evolution meet to captivate millions around the globe.
The Beginnings of adidas Sneakers
In 1920, at the age of 20, Adolph Dassler was a sports enthusiast. The son of a shoemaker, he decided to invent spiked shoes for athletics. Four years later, Adi and his brother Rudolph (Rudi) founded the German sports shoe company Gebrüder Dassler OHG. By 1925, the Dasslers were making studded leather shoes and track shoes with hand-forged spikes. It was from the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam that Adi's uniquely designed shoes began to attract athletes worldwide. Jesse Owens even wore a pair of Dassler running shoes when he won his 4 gold medals for the United States at the Berlin Olympics in 1936.
The Dassler Brothers and World War II
The adidas brothers are globally renowned for founding their company, which became a global brand. During World War II, the Dassler brothers were notably members of the NSDAP, the National Socialist German Workers' Party. Having both joined the Nazi party before the war, they supplied shoes to the Hitler Youth movement as well as to German athletes for the 1936 Olympic Games. Initial tensions arose between the two brothers over this: Adi quickly distanced himself from Hitler's ideals while Rudolph continued to follow the party. With the chancellor's total mobilization policy, Rudolph was sent to the front.
adidas and Puma: The Story of a Family Saga
The Dasslers definitively fell out during the war. The reason? Rudolf believed that Adi had denounced him as a traitor to the American forces (he had deserted the army). In reality, deeper disagreements were hidden: Adi wanted to leverage their notoriety to invest in improving his products, while Rudolph only saw financial profits. In 1948, they decided to liquidate their joint company to start their own, each on their side. Adi obviously launched the adidas brand, while Rudi created a rival shoe company to Adidas: this is the birth of Puma. Adidas and Puma are thus twin brands, born from the fraternal divorce of the Dassler family. This was followed by a fierce battle for market share!
adidas Sneakers: What About Collaborations?
The brand with the three stripes is known for its multiple collaborations with fashion icons, artists, and athletes. Among the most famous and impactful is its collaboration with Kanye West. In 2015, an original model was revealed, launching a legendary era: the Yeezy Boost 750. Released in an initial colorway “Turtle Dove,” it hinted at the direction of the two partners. But this is not the only collaboration that has marked the brand. In 2014, Pharrell Williams, a visionary artist, songwriter, fashion designer, and entrepreneur, partnered with the three stripes for a “long-term” partnership. The relationship between Adidas Originals and Pharrell Williams notably contributed to the revival of the Superstar model and a new model incorporating key elements of the Adidas NMD sneaker, which bore the words Human Race, with the initial message "I play for the Human Race". Today, these partnerships allow the brand to stay at the forefront of trends and reach an ever-wider audience.
adidas in the Modern Era
In the 1970s, adidas managed to achieve the status of the best-selling sports shoe brand in the United States. Notably, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier both wore adidas boxing shoes during their fight in 1971, a significant advertisement for the brand at the time. Adidas was also named the official supplier of the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. Today associated with the French global company Salomon (Adidas-Salomon AG), adidas also acquired the American shoemaker Reebok to compete more directly with Nike in the United States. Unexpected collaborations with Yeezy or Tommy Cash have helped modernize the image of the three-stripe brand.
Iconic adidas Shoes
Adidas has also developed models that have become iconic, including:
- The Stan Smith: popularized from 1978 by American tennis player Stanley Smith, it is the most famous pair of Adidas in history. Initially designed for tennis, it quickly found its way onto the feet of fashion enthusiasts. With its clean design and green checkmark, it is one of the most recognizable shoes in the world.
- The Gazelle: in 2016, this model made a comeback on the feet of icon Kate Moss. Marketed in the 90s, it achieved its first real success among soccer fans. Today, the pair is prized for its vintage look and varied colors. For fans of indoor shoes, the Samba remains an essential reference with its retro style and performance.
- The Superstar: another best-seller from adidas, the Superstar allowed the German equipment manufacturer to break into the basketball world. With its rubber toe cap, it has conquered both basketball courts and the streets of major cities.
