As a child, Paul Smith dreamt of becoming a cyclist, keeping his bike in his room as if it were a precious treasure. And it was. Paul Smith still nurtures his passion for cycling, while becoming one of the most influential English designers of the twentieth century. His latest goal is a collaboration with the German giant Adidas, to create a sneaker that has made history not only in the world of athletic shoes but in sports in general. We are talking about the Stan Smith. Introduced in 1964 to honor French tennis player Robert Haillet, they were transformed into a legend when worn by American tennis star Stan Smith who contributed to their success, including victories at Wimbledon and the US Open. These shoes have become one of the best-selling footwear of all time, with over 30 million pairs sold worldwide. Spanning beyond tennis, the Stan Smiths have become a wardrobe staple for many, transcending different subcultures from hip-hop to skating. Revolutionary at their inception, they used leather uppers when most tennis shoes were made of canvas with a simpler design. Over time, the Stan Smiths have evolved in endless variations, featuring a wide array of colors and even Velcro straps in a 90s model. When Stan Smith himself began wearing them, his name appeared on the tongue, and the iconic Adidas trefoil logo emerged on the heel, along with the brand name on the side of the sole.

Paul Smith’s intervention on the new Adidas sneakers pays homage to the long-standing partnership between Manchester United and the English designer, the official partner of the team for about fifteen years. The shoe design retains the original integrity but with a touch of perfect Paul Smith style. Crafted in fine white leather, the shoe features embossed portraits of Stan Smith and Paul Smith on the right and left tongues, respectively, and their names on the upper. The iconic Red Devil logo of Manchester United is displayed on the heel tab, while the team’s red, white, and gray stripes adorn the insole, the inner tongue, and the tips of the laces. Limited to 1946 pairs worldwide, a number chosen to commemorate the birth year shared by Stan Smith and Sir Paul Smith.