Founded in Herzogenaurach, Germany, by Adolf “Adi” Dassler in 1949, Adidas grew from a small, meticulous footwear workshop into Europe’s leading sportswear house and one of the most influential brands worldwide. Its identity crystallised around the now‑iconic three stripes — originally purchased from Finnish brand Karhu in the early 1950s — a visual signature that would become one of the most recognisable marks in global sport and culture.

Across the decades, Adidas expanded far beyond performance footwear, pairing technical innovation with cultural intuition. Breakthroughs like Boost cushioning and sustainable materials such as Primeblue signalled a commitment to engineering and environmental responsibility, while collaborations with designers, artists, and musicians helped the brand move fluidly between stadiums, runways, and city streets. Heritage silhouettes like the Stan Smith, Samba, and Superstar became enduring cultural artefacts, bridging the worlds of athletics, fashion, and everyday life.

Guided today by its “Own the Game” strategy, Adidas continues to balance its vast historical archive with a forward‑looking approach centred on digital transformation, brand credibility, and sustainability. With ambitions to transition to 100% recycled polyester and achieve climate neutrality across its value chain by 2050, the brand positions itself not just as a sportswear leader, but as a global actor shaping the future of responsible design.