Adidas Stan Smiths are back! And so is this blog!

It has been a while since I have written anything in this blog. Quite a while in fact. Late last year I decided I had to start writing here again, as this is my first blog and it used to be my main one, a place currently occupied by The Fashion Doll Chronicles. But hopefully The Sandman Chronicles can return back with a heart. And what better start then the return of my favourite shoes: Adidas, after a two year hiatus, is bringing Stan Smiths back.

I do not know the reasons behind them being out of stock for so long, probably just a way to make demand stronger. After all it is an all time classic shoe and one of their Originals, so it would make no sense not selling a design that is still popular after all these years; in fact it has sold 40 million pairs since 1971, apparently making it the most popular sports shoe ever.. I had not noticed the absence until last month a salesperson in an athletics chain store informed me that they were out of stock for the last two years but would return in 2014. And return they did.

So what is new with the re-issue? While the main design is the same, some details have been changed. The Stan Smith shoe is now using sustainable leather and other re-purposed materials to give it a premium eco-friendly make-over. It features a soft leather lining, the classic perforated 3-Stripes, and an off-white rubber out-sole. And it seems the Stan Smith face is now printed on the tongue (the pairs I have owned through the years never had it, just his name). The back tab is also now available in red (I think only the classic green and blue were available before). Plus a line of  bright suede versions will be available from March 2014.

The promotion of the relaunch is employing a variety of media and manners - even a pop up store designed like a shoe box was erected for a couple of weeks in East London. There is also a twitter campaign that invites people to post their photos on twitter with the hope of being "Stan'd"- i.e. get their name and photo printed on the tongue of a personalised pair of Stan Smiths for them. Years ago I had written a post here about why this design is my favourite one and it's history and background, which includes a neat association with the film Blade Runner. You can read all of it here.

A tale of a fin

It's wonderful to see how things can translate into design: from the now classic 60s Cadillac tail fin to the 80s Thierry Mugler car corset to the 2012 Prada "car" shoe. Just imagine an inspired actress wearing corset and shoe, getting out of a 60s Cadillac to arrive at the Oscar's ceremony. How pale the rest of the pack would instantly look. 

Blogger game: favourite pair of shoes!

After Dr. mad's invitation, I am posting a photo of my favourite pair of shoes: my Adidas Stan Smith in white leather, with green trim. I bought them last fall, and have been wearing them since then at all my social engagements (or most anyway). They go well with everything, fit almost any style of dress (from super casual to sportive to more dressed up) and are very comfortable, elegant and, yes, now a classic since they have been produced since 1965.

My Stan Smith pair

The Stan Smith was introduced in 1965 as the first all-leather tennis shoe. It was originally endorsed by Robert Haillet. In 1971 it was renamed after tennis great Stan Smith. Since then it has become one of the best selling shoes of all time, having sold over 30 million pairs. Adidas writes in their website:

The Adidas Stan Smith with green trim.

As part of the Tournament Edition, this is a 1-to-1 reintroduction of the Stan Smith originally introduced in 1977. The original version was a slight variation of the Haillet shoe, with Stan's signature on the side - the Stan Smith tongue logo became an icon all on its own over time. Featuring super-soft leathers, sophisticated perforated leather lining and laser etching sign off on the tongue, this is presented in a variation of the iconic Adidas white/green tennis colourway.

Stan Smith was the world's No. 1 ranked tennis player in 1972. During his long career, Smith won 39 singles titles and 61 doubles crowns. He was one of a long list of Tennis Players to endorse Adidas products, including Ilie Nastase and Rod Laver whose named model shoes are also currently available, and Ivan Lendl who has yet to have his shoe re-issued.

Stan Smith in Wimbledon in 1970

What is the main reason behind the Stan Smith's enduring popularity? I think it is the stylishness and cool, clean and understated design, especially in its original white leather lace-up form. They look good and sporty without making the wearer look sloppy. The Adidas branding is minimal (always a good thing), with the Trefoil logo on the top of the heel section and on the tongue, and the ubiquitous three stripes in the form of punched ventilation holes on the side of the shoe, instead of coloured stripes as in most of their shoes. Minimal is good, no? Also, the pricing is good, compared with modern designs that are here today, gone tomorrow.



Over the years, Adidas has changed the form the shoe took, introducing different coloured leather, velcro 'strap-over' models, a version with the Trefoil logo on the side in place of the stripes, and a version in nubuck. Many of these variations are available today, but the original classic design is still far and away the best. Why mess with a classic?

The black Stan Smith in Adidas' USA catalogue

And of course one of my all-time favourite on-screen characters wears - what else? - Stan Smiths. In Blade Runner, Rick Deckard wears a black boot design of the shoes, with the logo erased, one of the many retrofit examples of design one can find in that film. Fans of the film still argue if it is indeed Stan Smiths or Officials (worn by NBA referees back in the 80s) but I do like to believe they are the one and only Stan Smith!

Deckard in trouble - you can see the shoes here.

The closest look one can get of the shoes in the film - to me they do look like Stan Smiths. And yes, that's the famous origami animal he is picking up.