CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: STAN SMITH ON COURT AT WIMBLEDON 1972; THE NEW ADIDAS STAN SMITH; NEW COLOR TABS; STAN SMITH VULC IN RUNNING WHITE; ADIDAS CONSORTIUM STAN SMITH WITH REPTILE EMBOSSING; STAN SMITH VULC IN BLACK
Out of production since 2012, Adidas announced last week the return of the iconic Stan Smith tennis shoe and a whole new collection. A timeless classic and fashion favorite, the shoe was first launched in 1973 and named after 1970’s American tennis star, Stan Smith. Born in 1946, Smith is a two-time Grand Slam singles champion (US Open 1971, Wimbledon 1972) and was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1972. The Stan Smith was the first leather tennis shoe ever produced and considered very high tech at the time.
Besides the classic fairway green, the Stan Smith is now available in an array of new vibrant colored heel tabs, in addition to a suede skate shoe edition, the Stan Smith Vulc. Adidas has also announced their boutique Consortium line will offer four special editions of the shoe featuring premium leather treatments — cracked leather, reptile, ostrich and pebbled phoenix leather –in the original white and green Stan Smith color scheme, to be released on January 25.
To promote the relaunch, Adidas has created a video entitled ‘The Return of Stan Smith’, which features Smith himself, and celebrities including ‘Arrested Development’ actor Will Arnett, and brand ambassadors such as Andy Murray.
