THE FIRST STAN SMITH WAS RELEASED IN 1965, BUT THIS MODEL WAS ORIGINALLY PRODUCED IN 1964 FOR AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TENNIS PLAYER.

SHOE DATA
FIRST RELEASED
1964
ORIGINAL PURPOSE
Tennis
EXAMPLES SHOWN
Reissues
NOTES
In 2003, a high-top version was introduced on to the market.

  The earliest version of this shoe was produced in 1964 with the cooperation of French tennis player Robert Haillet. Unlike the later models, it had a thick outsole, no adidas trefoil on the heel and Haillet’s name applied to the side. It also had three rows of perforated stripes on the side panel, rather than the normal external stripes.
  In 1965, American tennis pro Stan Smith came to the attention of adidas. Haillet’s name was replaced with Smith’s, and subsequent models had his face and signature on the tongue.
  Over the years, the Stan Smith has been a constant presence in the adidas catalogue. It has been produced in a wide range of colours, including red, navy, black and beige, and a Velcro edition was released in the mid-1990s. The sneakerhead’s favourite is the original Robert Haillet version.