Stan Smith: Some People Think I’m A Shoe

A celebration of a sports icon and the signature sneaker that achieved cult status.

As one of the most iconic footwear designs, the Stan Smith sneaker has gained a loyal following over the years. Both celebrities and regular people have fallen in love with the shoe. First introduced in the early 1970s, the sneaker started out as a signature model worn by celebrated tennis player Stan Smith. The footwear went on to achieve the coveted cult status, becoming one of the most recognizable designs in the world. It also became adidas’ most successful sneaker. Published by Rizzoli, Stan Smith: Some People Think I’m A Shoe pays homage to the legacy of the tennis legend.

The 336-page book honors Stan Smith’s sports career while also showing the cultural impact of the beloved sneaker. The tome features a foreword by Stan Smith fan Pharrell Williams, with commentary from sports journalist Richard Evans and portraits of Smith by Juergen Teller also included in the book. Fans will be able to see retro ads as well as images that show the shoe’s design process. Other photos chronicle the evolution of the sneaker over time. The book contains 200 photographs, some of them featuring legends like David Bowie and John Lennon. Launched in September, 2018 with a series of book signings in New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris, Stan Smith: Some People Think I’m a Shoe is now available online at Rizzoli and at select adidas stores. Photographs© Rizzoli.