Since its start in 1949, adidas’ legendary three stripes have been adopted everywhere from stadiums to the streets.
While we’re all familiar with the brand in a contemporary context regarding mainstays such as the Ultraboost and standout moments in fashion like the sudden omnipresence of the Samba, adidas' true identity proves to be rooted beyond its popular silhouettes or viral trends.
To fully grasp the extent of adidas' vast significance, we decided to take a look back throughout history to better understand its long-lasting ties to soccer culture.
With a heritage as rich as adidas, its timeline can get a bit stacked – but don’t worry, we’ve broken it down into a few prominent brand events in what we’ve dubbed “The Hall of Originals”.
First presented at adiClubhouse on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, our detailed timeline highlights the brand’s most memorable moments through soccer culture and how they have informed current soccer-inspired style, from the first Samba to its most recent collab with Gucci.
Check out our salute to the iconic three stripes with The Hall Of Originals below:
Adidas’ relationship with soccer all began in 1950 with Adi Dassler’s original Samba boot, designed to handle the unpredictable conditions and icy pitches of the sport. Soon after in 1954 Germany won the World Cup in Switzerland, all wearing adidas. The heavily celebrated moment launched adidas into the public eye.
With growing credibility in the world of soccer throughout the 60s, adidas soon earned household recognition and took the opportunity to expand into related gear. Tracksuits, soccer balls, baggage, and further accessories were all being produced to match the growing demand from its consumers.
From 1960-1970, adidas’ accolades quickly snowballed, and the brand expanded its footwear line, presenting more options for players on the field. The brand’s versatility in product proved to be well received. In 1958 it was reported that adidas was the most-used soccer shoe brand at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. By 1966, 80% of all players at the World Cup in Mexico donned the legendary three stripes.
With the release of the Gazelle in 1966, adidas realized its brand was being adapted to other cultural touchpoints. Initially released as an indoor/outdoor soccer shoe, it quickly got picked up on runways – a glimpse into the brand’s inevitable growth.
Rounding out adidas’ early noteworthy moments in soccer is the release of the Telestar ball which was the official ball of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. A modern-day icon, the Telestar ball was the first of its kind to use the now-familiar truncated icosahedron in design, consisting of 12 black pentagonal panels and 20 hexagonal panels.
After adidas’ first national team alignments proved successful, larger partnerships began to build with national clubs like the Mexican Federation. The dynamic pairing took sport and style to the next level.
In the 1986 Mexico World Cup, adidas debuted its dynamic Azteca print ball that was used at all matches, as well as the unforgettable kits of the FMF. The meticulously decorated design was inspired by the hosting nation’s native Aztec architecture and murals.
In 2018 the three-stripe-fitted El Tri took a shocking 1-0 win over Germany in the 2018 World Cup. The game-winning goal, scored by striker Hirving Lozano, led to “massive jumps” in Mexico City and caused seismic activity. Today, FMF and adidas continue to push the envelope together, finding ways to pay homage to Mexican heritage with an eye toward the future of the sport.
With legitimacy backed by soccer heritage, adidas was catapulted into a new era as a certified tastemaker in the industry, bridging the gap between soccer style strictly within the sport and adapting it to the everyday lifestyles of fans. The brand’s recent collaborations serve as a testament to adidas’ ongoing success in bringing sports style and high fashion.
In 2019, adidas teamed up with 424's Guillermo Andrade, to showcase tailored style and sport with a kit for Arsenal FC as well as a line of apparel and footwear. Featuring the team’s black and red color scheme, the line marries all of the technical design of adidas with a sophisticated edge from 424.
Most recently, we’ve seen the cumulative effects from a history of iconic moments when adidas teamed up with fellow unwavering fashion house, Gucci. Featuring a remixed version of adidas’ beloved Gazelle to duo-logoed tracksuits, this collaboration entirely elevated soccer style into the world of high fashion and earned a moment of reflection from a brand that was born from a love of soccer.
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