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Sneaker Stories
The stories behind some of the most iconic sneakers.
The Town of Bent Necks: How Two Brothers Split One Shoe Factory Into Adidas and Puma
The town is Herzogenaurach, and the locals earned it a nickname: the town of bent necks. Because in Herzogenaurach, your sneakers weren't a fashion statement. They were a loyalty oath. They told everyone which side of a family war you were on — and that family war gave the world Adidas and Puma.
5 min read
From a Torn Achilles to a Flyknit Revolution: The Story Behind the Kobe 9 Elite "Team Showtime"
Some sneakers are designed in a studio. This one was designed in a hospital.
On April 12, 2013, Kobe Bryant planted his left foot against the Golden State Warriors, felt his Achilles tendon snap, and did something that instantly became legend: he walked to the free throw line and sank both shots before limping off the court. Two days later he was in surgery. And somewhere in Beaverton, Oregon, his longtime designer Eric Avar started rethinking everything he knew about basket
3 min read
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