“He killed the trend in one fell swoop.” national controversy after Rishi wore Adidas Samba sneakers;

Has the British Prime Minister made Adidas Sambas obsolete? On April 2, Rishi Sunak appeared in Downing Street for an interview to promote his tax policy wearing the Adidas Samba. And that was all it took to throw the United Kingdom into disarray. We have forgotten the cost of living crisis, high rents and economic recession. at one point the nation seemed more united than ever in collective outrage over the choice of footwear. prime minister. “Adidas Sambas were the hottest shoe of the year until Rishi Sunak had a pair.” The watcher . “How Rishi killed the biggest sneaker trend in one fell swoop,” says his side. The Telegraph . Claiming that Rishi Sunak is trying to portray himself as young and hip, the British magazine GQ: writes. “Sunak took the eternally cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone.” The atmosphere…

Over the past year, the Samba model, which traces its origins to a 1949 creation by Adi Dassler, real name Adolf Dassler, the German entrepreneur who founded Adidas, has been everywhere on the streets, on the feet of bankers and celebrities alike. . Among those given to the trend are Harry Styles, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Rihanna. According to commerce platform Lyst, sales soared in 2022, with searches for sneakers increasing 350% that year after going viral on social media. New York Times .

Apologies to the “samba community”

But could Adidas Samba’s association with the UK’s Conservative Prime Minister sign their death warrant? Maybe not… On the other hand, it is certain that the coolest sneaker of the year suddenly lost its “coolness”. Such was the outcry that Rishi Sunak almost apologized to the “samba community. “In my defense, I would say I’ve worn Adidas sneakers for many, many years, including the Sambas and others,” said the 43-year-old politician, who also said he had a soft spot for Everlane. . Hoodie and Palm Angels platform shoes, on LBC Radio London.

Rishi Sunak, however, is not the first politician to try to appear a more approachable leader by opting for a more casual style. We only have to remember the looks of Emmanuel Macron in a hooded sweatshirt, more recently Gabriel Atal in jeans and white sneakers, or even Joe Biden and his Hokas wedge sneakers. “[Rishi Sunak] perhaps he can take solace in saying that as Prime Minister he finally managed to unite a divided people, if not at the ballot box, then online, to “ruin” Britain’s favorite sneaker. A victory, as they say, is a victory,” the journalist teases New York Times Elizabeth Paton. Another proof that fashion is political.