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The rich history of the Adidas Samba

The origins of the Adidas Originals Samba go back to 1950 when a German football team wore the shoe which had originally been designed for icy and snowy pitches. Per Adidas, the original design had an outsole with three cut-out suction cups to provide players with traction and stability. The shoe’s ability to create stability on the football pitch earned it the nickname “Samba”.

Per Vogue, the shoe remained an athlete favourite during its early years, and became associated with the 1970s when the three stripes begun being worn by football fans everywhere. According to Adidas, the Samba version we know today was launched in 1972. Designers added a soft ankle and heel padding, with a low-leather vamp in the forefoot area.

In the past 73 years, there have been several iterations of the shoe, including the Samba Spezial, which was launched in 1982 and incorporated a shock-absorbent wedge and multi-stud outsole, making it even better for staying put on slippery winter surfaces.

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In the 1990s, the Samba got the nod of approval from the Gallagher brothers during their Oasis heyday. Added credibility came after the lead character in the cult 1996 film Trainspotting wore burgundy Samba Supers. Mark Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, wore the shoes in the flick, elevating them to pop culture status in the process.

Collabs ensure longevity

The success of the Sambas can be attributed to the multiple collaborations and relaunches it has had over the years. For example in 2014, the Samba Super Battle Pack collection was launched to celebrate the World Cup in Brazil. The limited edition bore intricate designs and bold colourways to emphasise the spirit of the Samba community and was a hit.

Adidas has also paired the Samba with well-known designers, celebrities and fashion brands. Notably, the iconic collaboration between Adidas Originals and British fashion label Wales Bonner has been one of the most successful. Per Sneaker Freaker, the ongoing partnership between the London-based designer and the Samba featured unique crocheted detailing, leading to the shoe selling out in record time.

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Other well-known hook ups have included those with the likes of Palace and KITH. Such collaborations have resulted in the shoe becoming a fashion staple off the sports field and expanding its social capital.

There was also the TikTok trend, which saw creators making videos relating to “underrated shoes you need”. The hashtag #adidassamba has nearly 876 million views on the platform, with users posting about their Sambas and why they love them.

The Hadid sisters love to Samba

Per Vogue, Bella Hadid often teams her outfits with classic Sambas. Whether she’s sporting a casual outfit in NYC or attending an event, Bella is clearly a fan of the shoe. In 2022, she even wore a pair to Milan Fashion Week, pairing the shoes with a brown skirt and colourful shirt, per InStyle.

Sister Gigi is also a sneaker head and has been spotted wearing Sambas on multiple occasions. At Milan Fashion week this year, she teamed a white button-down shirt and chalky trousers with the classic gum sole.

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Gigi was also spotted in New York earlier this year wearing the Adidas Samba OG Gray Bliss orange trainers. A combination of light grey and lilac, the shoes worked perfectly with her cut-off denim shorts and oversized white and blue blouse.

It’s the red version for Hailey Bieber

Another long-time fan of the Samba is Hailey Bieber, who has been spotted wearing a red pair on multiple occasions. She has also been seen in a grey and black combo, pairing the shoes with denim shorts and a white crop top.

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Olivia Wilde’s colour of the season

In September, Olivia Wilde was spotted wearing pink Adidas Sambas and the hue became an instant hit. Glamour UK called the pink kicks the “must-have trainers of the season”, with Wilde adding her name to the list of celebrities who have embraced the sneaker trend.

Harry Styles, on tour with the Sambas

It’s no secret that Harry Styles is a fan of the Samba too. He’s been spotted in several versions of the shoe and even had a custom-made collection produced for his world tour.

Styles also wore a pair to announce Harry’s House, his Grammy award-winning third album. In October, during a meeting with his musical collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, he wore a white pair of Sambas which have accented grey suede detailing.