Rishi Sunak issues a 'fulsome apology' to fans of Adidas Samba trainers after ... trends now
Rishi Sunak has issued a 'fulsome apology' to Adidas Samba fans after after being ridiculed for 'ruining' their credibility with his latest footwear fashion faux pas.
The Prime Minister, who has come under fire for his fashion choices in the past, said he had been wearing the German sportswear giant's classic trainers 'for many years'.
Mr Sunak - who claimed he is a 'longtime devotee' of the brand - was on the end of a kicking online when he wore the fresh white trainers during an interview in Downing Street.
British GQ magazine said that 'in a bid to present himself as young and hip, Rishi Sunak took an eternally cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone'.
Meanwhile footwear historian Elizabeth Semmelhack told The Times it could prove to be 'the death knell' for the retro trainer which has previously been described as 'the defining sneaker of our age'.
Mr Sunak jokingly told LBC Radio this morning: 'I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas - and others, in fact - for many, many years.
Rishi Sunak has offered a 'fulsome apology' after being ridiculed for killing off the iconic Adidas Samba trainers
Mr Sunak - who claimed he is a 'longtime devotee' of the brand - was on the end of a kicking online when he wore the fresh white trainers during an interview in Downing Street
'The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago - my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I haven't looked back since. So I've been a longtime devotee.'
The roots of the Adidas Originals Samba shoe can be traced back to a German football match in 1950. The shoe's stellar performance on icy pitches earned the nickname 'Samba'.
The original shoe featured an outsole with three cut-out suction cups to help players with stability.
Over the years, Adidas continued to improve and refine the Samba for football alongside creating streetwear editions as the brand reached new heights on and off the pitch.
Adidas says on its website: 'Whether you're a football fanatic, a style enthusiast, or simply appreciate the fusion of sports and fashion, the adidas Originals Samba shoe continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of footwear and across communities world wide.'
Adidas founder Adi Dassler with a Samba in the 1950s
Advertisement
He added: 'That pair (in the video) I did buy, but I've had Adidas trainers for a very long time.'
The triple-striped rubber-soled Samba was introduced in 1949 and has been a staple shoe ever since. Rihanna, Kate Moss and Kendall Jennner are among a host of celebrities who have been pictured donning a pair.
Last year, Adidas's chief executive Bjorn Gulden described the Samba as 'the hottest shoe on the market', adding that the company intended to sell 'millions and millions'.
But Mr Sunak, who has also faced questions about the short length of his trousers, said he is 'intrigued and amused by the amount of focus on what I'm
