FITNESS vans Originating in Southern , Vans developed a following among skateboarders in Santa Monica and Venice Beach and soon the brand spring court The was synonymous with LA skate culture purveyor of classic canvas has of the late ’70s and early ’80s. The original JW Foster & Sons been around since 1936, when Parisian Vans SK8-HI was devised as a skate had its beginnings in England in the tennis enthusiast Georges Grimmeisen in collaboration with 1890s, and in 1924 supplied to nike Released in 1987, the original developed a breathable cotton canvas legends such as Stacy Peralta. The 1979 the British Olympic team. But in 1958 Air Max 1 was considered groundbreaking shoe for playing on clay. In 1952, hi-top promised traction, fit and comfort Foster’s grandsons left to start their own for the tiny window in its sole that ventilation holes were dotted along the with cushioning in the ankle and arch to company, Reebok, named after an African revealed the visible air that was Nike’s sole, which, with its vulcanised rubber prevent injury. Its form and function – gazelle. Reebok USA was born in 1979 signature. In 30 years, the sole, is the signature of a shoe that has and appearance at skateboarding contests when a savvy marketer acquired the has come full circle: in a cool twist, the lasted – virtually unchanged – for 80 – soon gave it icon status in the skating North American licence to sell the shoes Air Max Zero was actually designed by years. Focused on comfort and almost community. To celebrate the brand’s stateside. In 1982, the Reebok Freestyle Nike’s Tinker Hatfield in 1986 before indestructible, Spring Court originals 50th birthday, Vans will reissue the was launched to coincide with the aerobic the first, making it more original than ruled competitive tennis until the late ’70s, classic SK8-HI in a staggering 50 styles frenzy of the early ’80s. Its simple style the original. The fabrics and technology but its chic minimalism, the embodiment and colours throughout 2016; models meant it went with more than just Lycra required to do the Zero justice were of French style, soon caught the eye of Alessandra Ambrosio and Alexa Chung and it soon strayed from the confines of deemed too futuristic in 1987, so it was style setters Serge Gainsbourg and Jane are already Vans fans. the gym. The Classic Leather was released actually beyond the realm of possibility Birkin. John Lennon and Yoko Ono wore in 1983 and by the mid ’80s were – until now. Originally worn by basketball the classic sneakers to their own wedding

$149.95, Vans, vans.net.au American-owned and ubiquitous: Mick royalty Charles Barkley and rapper in 1969 and Lennon famously wore them Jagger wore them in the music video for Tupac Shakur, now Beyoncé and Victoria on the Abbey Road album cover. Now his 1985 cover of “Dancin’ in the Street” Beckham step out in Air Max. Kate Moss and Jude Law wear them, too. with . $125, Spring Court, springcourt.com.au

$119.99, Reebok from Glue Store, gluestore.com.au

THE

$200, Nike, nikestore.com.au originals

THE CLASSIC KICKS YOU NEED NOW: A HISTORY LESSON

WORDS Roshan Sahukar STYLING Alissa Thomas PHOTOGRAPHY Sevak Babakhani

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The unmistakeable triple Just two years stripe is the hallmark of the Adidas brand after the first modern Olympics, but it was not always so. German Adolf running shoes were hand-stitched in “Adi” Dassler registered his brand – and German shoemaker Rudolf Pennsylvania at a workshop on the the first Adidas sneaker – in 1949, but The All Star was Dassler founded Puma in 1948, while his Saucony Creek, named for a Native the logo initially featured two stripes. He created in 1917, and was later named after brother Adi Dassler was honing his stripes American word meaning “where two experimented with four, five and six stripes basketballer – and Converse salesman – over at Adidas. Twenty years later the rivers run together”. In the early days before settling on three. The Superstar was Chuck Taylor, who added the iconic All Puma Suede was born and immediately Saucony was valued by serious runners, created for basketball by Adidas in 1969, Star patch. From the outside, the new hit the world stage. After winning the but it wasn’t until the American Frank and with the help of stars like Kareem iteration of Chucks look almost identical, 200m sprint at the 1968 Olympics in Shorter won gold in the marathon at Abdul Jabbar it soon took off due to its their colour-coordinated laces the only Mexico, American Tommie Smith stood the Munich Olympics in 1972 that extra support and signature protective giveaway. But it’s what’s happening shoeless with his teammate John Carlos the demand for running shoes spiked. rubber shell toe. Adidas sneakers soon inside that counts. Acquired by Nike on the winners’ podium, to symbolise What started out as specialty footwear permeated hip hop culture, inspiring songs in 2003, Converse now uses Lunarlon black poverty worldwide. As “The for athletes, soon crossed over into like Run DMC’s “My Adidas” in 1986 and technology, which is lightweight and Star-Spangled Banner” played, Smith and mainstream fashion and, today, Jessica $119.99, Adidas from Glue Store, gluestore.com.aufeaturing in Beastie Boys’ “Shadrach”: super comfortable, with an inner sole Carlos bowed their heads and gave the Alba and Taylor Swift wear the original “More Adidas sneakers than a plumber’s got that conforms to your foot. With their Black Power salute to highlight racism styles that were the keystone of the ’80s. pliers”. Kylie Jenner and Lana Del Rey are long history, All Stars are the go-to shoe against African Americans. Beside them modern stars in Superstars. for an endless parade of off-duty models, on the podium? Their Puma Suedes. The and everyone from the late Kurt Cobain Suede has since inspired collaborations to actress Kristen Stewart, who regularly by Solange Knowles and Rihanna. swaps heels for Chucks on the red carpet.

$140, Saucony, platypusshoes.com.au

$100, Puma, puma.com.au

$120, Converse, converse.com.au

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