Humble beginnings for two brothers
Adolf “Adi” Dassler started his shoe company in his mother’s kitchen. His brother soon joined him and they officially started The Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory in 1924. In the following years they would go on to create lightweight cleats for runners and athletes who required better traction. A highlight of their early years was convincing gold medal winner and notable U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens to wear their shoes at the 1936 summer games. After a tumultuous decade the two brothers had a falling out and Adi went on to found adidas in 1949.
1949 and adidas true beginnings
The company refocused on athletic shoes and began to produce some of the most iconic silhouettes in sneaker culture. The adidas Samba hit the soccer pitch in the ’50s and is still there today. The Samba was created after the instantly recognizable 3-Stripes branding was purchased, and as such, featured it prominently on each lateral side.
The 3-Stripes would go on to become one of the most defining features of the adidas brand. The ’60s saw the release of classics that would become a part of the future adidas Originals line due to their lasting influence, such as the adidas track suit. The ’70s welcomed even more shoes still worn today like the adidas Superstar and adidas Stan Smith.
The adidas Stan Smith, endorsed and worn by top men’s tennis player Stan Smith, was one of the company’s longest enduring endorsements to date and kicked off a lasting practice of working with athletes on signature shoes.
adidas kicks hit the stage
The ’80s ushered in a cultural explosion of popularity that adidas could not have predicted. Thanks to hip-hop artists Run D.M.C. and the first track on their third album, “My Adidas,” adidas became aware of the widespread popularity of their shoes and apparel with b-boy and b-girl culture. Run D.M.C. invited an adidas executive to their Madison Square Garden concert in 1986 and had everyone in the crowd hold up their adidas apparel to show just how popular it was. This was the first time adidas had endorsed a musical act and it opened doors for other musical acts to be endorsed in the future.
Get back to the classics
The 1990s saw a return to the classics with the shoes and clothing from the adidas Originals line gaining more popularity. Bomber jackets, track suits, and the adidas Superstar, icons in art and athletics, remain popular and are now available in sizes for everyone including Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Grade School sizes.
Look to the future
With new size runs and throwback styles becoming new again, adidas entered the 2010s with a focus on the future. A collaboration with Parley for the Oceans helped adidas gain recognition for its environmental practices and solidified it as an eco-friendly fashion choice. Notably, adidas endorsed Kanye West and has been collaborating with him on the YEEZY line of shoes that have seen immense popularity for adults and kids. With a rich history in sport and art, it’s easy to find adidas shoes and clothing that fit your little one’s style.
