Wales Bonner and Her Impact on the Adidas Samba

Wales Bonner and Her Impact on the Adidas Samba

Grace Wales Bonner, a British-Jamaican designer, is known for her eponymous brand, Wales Bonner, which merges European tailoring with Afro-Atlantic cultural references. Since launching in 2014, her collections have explored themes of identity, race, and heritage, often drawing on her own multicultural background.

Wales Bonner’s collaborations with Adidas, particularly her work on the iconic Adidas Samba, have become standout moments in both fashion and sneaker culture. Her reimagining of the Samba, first released in 2020, infused the classic silhouette with rich textures, earthy tones, and handcrafted details, highlighting her dedication to craftsmanship and cultural storytelling. These collaborations have cemented Wales Bonner as a key figure in blending high fashion with sportswear.

Let's dive into her most iconic designs of the silhouette to date.

1. adidas Samba Pony Wales Bonner Leopard

The adidas Samba Pony Wales Bonner Leopard represents a collaboration between the iconic German sneaker company and the luxury fashion brand. The resulting shoe combines a singular style with a classic silhouette.



The upper base and overlays of the adidas Samba Pony Wales Bonner Leopard are luxe leather in a caramel and dark brown marbled pattern reminiscent of a leopard. The heel tab and tongue that fold over the laces are both creamy white leather that matches the signature three stripes along the side panel. The heel tab and tongue sport exaggerated looped stitching and the three stripes feature dark brown stitching. The textile sockliner is light blue while the insole is creamy white. This distinctive-looking upper rests upon a gum rubber sole unit patterned for traction and impact absorption.

What we enjoy most about this sneaker is the refined dual branding. But the insole and the tongue have "adidas" with the trefoil logo and "Wales Bonner" underneath in a clean, linear presentation that emphasizes the elegance of this shoe. The adidas Samba Pony Wales Bonner Leopard was released on November 8, 2023, for $160.

2. adidas Samba Pony Tonal Wales Bonner Cream White

he adidas Samba Pony Tonal Wales Bonner Cream White is part of a collaboration between adidas Originals and Wales Bonner, a London-based luxury label known for its reinvention of preppy apparel.

This football training shoe takes the recognizable Samba construction and updates it with shaggy mohair across the upper. The colorway of Cream White and Mystery Brown is reminiscent of the 1970s varsity sports aesthetic, but the mohair gives the sneaker a more luxurious feel. Like other Samba models, this iteration boasts serrated 3-stripes down the side panel that tonally match the fold-over tongue, laces, and heel details. The lace cage, toe overlays, and collar are made of leather in Cream White. A gum rubber outsole completes the look and provides traction.

We love the subtle, tonal stitching, which allows other design features to stand out. The adidas Samba Pony Tonal Wales Bonner Cream White was released on November 8th, 2023, and retailed at $160.

3. adidas Samba Wales Bonner Silver

June 2023 saw the bold arrival of the adidas Samba Wales Bonner collaboration in a glinting Silver colorway. In an homage to vintage aesthetics, adidas partners with the innovative Wales Bonner to reimagine the Samba silhouette.

Featuring high-quality leather overlays, the sneakers shimmer with a glossy Silver finish. Adidas' iconic three stripes manifest in a vibrant woven off white contrast hue, adding intrigue to the side panels. The shoe's brown sole offers a retro touch to the otherwise futuristic aesthetic. Detailed with a Wales Bonner signature charm, the collab stamps its uniqueness in the sneaker world. Boasting comfort and style, these kicks hold the power to enhance any fit instantly.

The adidas Samba Wales Bonner in Silver released on June 9, 2023, retailing at a price of $200. This blend of retro and modern vibes is a killer addition to any sneaker arsenal.

4. adidas Samba Pony TonalWales Bonner Core Black

The adidas Samba Pony Tonal Wales Bonner Core Black is a collaboration between the iconic German sneaker company and the London-based luxury fashion house.

The Wales Bonner X adidas Samba Pony Tonal Core Black features an upper with a base made of black faux pony hair. The overlays are luxe black leather with cream-colored leather at the heel tab and the side panel three stripes. The cream color appears again on the tongue that folds over the laces. Dual branding for adidas and Wales Bonner appears on the insoles and the tongue tag. The laces are also cream, providing further contrast to the black-on-black of the upper.

What our shoe experts enjoy most about this sneaker Is its sole unit, which is characteristic of the adidas Samba. The die-cut Eva foam of the midsole provides cushioning and impact absorption while the gum rubber outsole provides traction. The adidas Samba Pony Tonal Wales Bonner Core Black was released on November 8, 2023, for a retail price of $160.

5. adidas Samba NylonWales Bonner Fox Brown

The adidas Samba Nylon Wales Bonner Fox Brown represents a captivating fusion of sportswear heritage and high-fashion aesthetics, born from the collaborative efforts of adidas and the British-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner.

The Wales Bonner Fox Brown adidas Samba Nylon showcases the British brand's contemporary interpretation of a classic. The low-profile silhouette boasts a Fox Brown nylon upper with a matching forefoot overlay in textured suede. Tan leather accents adorn the iconic 3-Stripes and rear tab. Adding a touch of contrasting color, blue nylon lines the collar. The lateral heel proudly displays 'Wales Bonner,' while dual branding graces the sock liner and fold-over tongue. A robust gum rubber cupsole forms the foundation of the sneaker.

The most notable characteristic of the adidas Samba Nylon Wales Bonner Fox Brown is the meticulously stitched detailing at the heel. This distinctive feature, a signature element found throughout Bonner's work, contributes a unique touch to the overall design of the shoe. The shoe debuted for $160 on November 8th, 2023.

6. adidas Samba Wales Bonner Core Black

The adidas Samba Wales Bonner Core Black is a unique variation of the iconic adidas Samba silhouette, designed in collaboration with high fashion British designer Grace Wales Bonner.

The shoes have a stylish and unique take on the original silhouette, featuring a core black leather upper with suede overlays on the laces, heel tab, and T-toe. The sides feature the iconic three-stripes in white, meticulously crocheted by hand to elevate the visually striking appearance. The same hand-crocheted details also go around the tongue and the heel tab. Other features on the shoes that are worth mentioning include the extended tongue, which folds in a similar fashion to the early soccer shoes by adidas.

What we love about the adidas Samba Wales Bonner Core Black is the gum rubber outsole, which is a preferred choice for its durability, and the grip and traction it offers on various surfaces. The shoes were released for retail on November 20, 2020, at $180.

7. adidas Samba Wales Bonner Studded Pack Black/White

It's the British fashion designer's most rebellious trainer collection to date. And it's also the rarest one too. So if you thought copping was tough before, things are gonna get a whole lot harder!


Revealed in two monochromatic colourways including ‘Cream White’ and ‘Core Black,’ Bonner's design is made from leather that's meant to look – and feel – even more top end than before. Her signature contrast stitching wraps around around the heel badge and tongue, which can be worn as normal or overlapping the lacing system. A serrated version of the three stripes emblem features across the lateral and medial sidewalls, and as the pack's name already suggests, these are decorated with a series of shiny, shiny metallic gold studs throughout.

Latest Releases

8. adidas Samba Wales Bonner Brown/Navy Croc

The Wales Bonner and adidas collaboration shows no signs of stopping. The upcoming collaboration sees the British fashion designer take a walk on the luxe side of things with new pairs of Sambas and SUPERSTARs appear in exotic crocodile-like embossed leather patterns for a slick and luxurious new look.



Growing on a partnership that first began in 2020 that has now expanded from sneakers to apparel, there is no surprise that the adidas Samba has been a highly-anticipated silhouette for the duo’s releases. This time around, Wales Bonner is giving the Samba a croc makeover, arriving in metallic, suede and the classic. One comes dressed in a sleek brown crocodile leather, while another is painted in navy blue and another features the same brown crocodile leather but the front half of the upper is constructed in metallic silver patent leather. The SUPERSTAR gets an upgraded treatment with a white croc-leather upper staying true to its classic white and black origins.

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