The idea behind the creation of Adidas Originals was to combine the classic models intended for sports that found their way into streetwear. It embodies the brand’s rich history and cultural influence, particularly within streetwear, sports, and fashion. Collaborations with artists, designers, and brands like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, and Stella McCartney helped elevate the line’s status. Adidas Originals is renowned for models such as the Superstar, Stan Smith, Gazelle, and Samba. Today, Adidas Originals continues to blend its historical roots with modern trends.

Meaning and History

Adidas is a global sports apparel manufacturer founded in 1949 in Germany by Adolf Dassler. The company initially focused on performance sportswear. The Adidas Originals line was launched to celebrate the brand’s heritage, featuring classic and retro designs. It emphasizes retro-inspired designs rooted in the brand’s history, often drawing on iconic models from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. In the 2000s and beyond, Adidas Originals became a symbol of street culture, music, and fashion. It remains a key part of Adidas’ global brand portfolio. Officially, the Originals became a separate brand in 2001, when Herbert Hainer took the place of CEO. The first Adidas Originals stores got opened in Berlin, Tokyo, Paris, and Amsterdam.

What is Adidas Originals?
Adidas Originals is a sub-brand of the German multinational corporation Adidas. Several of its models have become timeless classics, often reissued and reimagined. Adidas Originals are appealing to both sports enthusiasts and fashion-conscious consumers.

1972 – Today

The logo most associated with Adidas Originals is the Trefoil, introduced in 1972. It was designed by Horst, Adi Dassler’s son, as they expanded into clothing and sportswear. This redesign coincided with the preparation for the Olympics in their home country. The company was going through rebranding and presented a new logo. The emblem features the iconic three leaf-like shapes (trefoil symbol). The leaf is meant to symbolize diversity and performance. It is typically accompanied by the word “adidas” in lowercase with a vintage-inspired aesthetic. Despite being over half a century old, it looks contemporary thanks to its minimalistic design and the use of classic black. It is notable that this logo was a corporate logo until the 1990s.

Font and Color

The word “Adidas” in the logo is printed using a sans-serif font called Adineue Pro Bold. It is a bold font with stokes that have consistent thickness. The characters are relatively closely spaced. In addition, it is notable that the vertical strokes in letters such as “d” do not go much higher above the top line of the other letters.
The main color in the logo is black. It is a classic and timeless choice that is able to make any logo look sophisticated and luxurious. It is a powerful color that is suitable for an authoritative company. There is also white, which adds a touch of perfection and nice contrast.