Take a cursory look at the state of the country and you’ll spot there’s plenty that needs to be fixed – NHS waiting times, for example. Or the cost of living crisis. Or the mental health plight that many young people currently face.
So it’s nice to hear our current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, the man who arguably should be on top of all of these things, has his priorities sorted – by issuing a heartfelt apology to Adidas Samba stans.
Sunak, 43, sent a ripple of groans across the country when he was pictured wearing the popular brand of trainers in a recent Instagram video in which he discussed fiscal policy.
He paired the trainers with suit trousers and a white shirt, which led many fashion followers to declare the Sunak’s sartorial style choice as ‘the kiss of death’ for the Samba.
So in response, Sunak has decided to say sorry for his Samba stylings. During a phone-in session with the PM on LBC Radio, the Conservative leader said he issued “a fulsome apology to the Samba community.”
“In my defence I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers and Sambas and others for many, many years,” Sunak continued. “The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago. Those were my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I haven’t looked back since.”
Adidas Sambas were released in 1972, but have boomed in popularity in the last few years.
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According to Lyst, searches for the trainers spiked by 350% last summer, while Google has reported a spike in over 300% for the sneakers in the past year alone.
TikTok may be partially responsible in the sneaker sales rate soaring; videos tagged #AdidasSamba on the app have now surpassed 1.7 billion views.
Well, we’re glad Sunak has got that off his chest. Perhaps it’s time to actually get back to fixing the country, yeah?
Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper’s Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.
