Rishi Sunak said he was a “long-time devotee” of Adidas trainers
Rishi Sunak apologized to owners of Adidas Samba trainers after he was accused of damaging their reputation as fashion footwear.
The Prime Minister said he was a “long-time fan” of Adidas trainers.
The Prime Minister said he was a “long-time fan” Adidas Samba sneakers. trainers from the sportswear brand and wore them for “many years” after a video of him wearing white Adidas Samba trainers went viral on social media.
Mr Sunak's choice of footwear sparked a backlash even from fans. which prompted the British magazine GQ to publish an article: “Can Rishi Sunak leave the Adidas Samba alone?”
The men's magazine said the Prime Minister had “taken the ever-cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone” and warned future prime ministers to “stay away from our trainers.”
Mr Sunak told LBC Radio: “I deeply apologize to the Samba community. But in my defense, I have been wearing Adidas sneakers, including Sambas – and others – for many, many years.
“My brother gave me my first pair many, many years ago—my first pair of fun Adidas sneakers as a Christmas gift. I haven't looked back since then. So I'm a long-time devotee.”
Mr Sunak was filmed wearing the popular shoe in an interview posted on Downing Street Instagram last week about the government's plans to expand childcare.
Mr Sunak wearing the popular shoe at an interview last week
LBC's Nick Ferrari told the Prime Minister in a phone call: “You are accused of destroying a fashion icon, the so-called Adidas Samba trainers that you recently wore.”
“People like you shouldn't be wearing them because they are fashionable. Did you choose them as Prime Minister?
Mr Sunak replied: “I bought the pair (in the video).” Laughing, he added: “As always, I'm intrigued and amused by how much attention is being paid to what I wear.”
Elizabeth Semmelhack, a shoe historian, said in The Times earlier this week that Mr Sunak could sound the “death knell” for the Adidas Samba by “trying to capitalize on what is a widespread fashion moment” but “in a way that doesn't lacks authenticity.”
How Rishi killed the biggest sneaker trend in one fell swoop. Read more
The Prime Minister is no stranger to controversy over his clothing choices, particularly his suits and the length of his trousers.
Responding to a question about why his trousers were “so short”, Mr Sunak told The Sun's Never Notice the Ballots: “I don't actually think they're that short.”
He added: “I don't like a lot of baggy stuff at the bottom of the ankle. I don't think they're that short.”
Mr Sunak also caused a stir when he was photographed wearing Palm Angels slides, which cost around £95, in 2021.
The £90 Adidas Samba trainers have previously been spotted on celebrities including Rihanna and Harry Styles, as well as models Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.
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