Stan Smith Just Went Vegan With a Little Help From Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney has created the world’s first vegan Stan Smith sneaker, and it goes on sale today. Leather-free and suitable for vegetarians, it comes restyled with her portrait on one tongue next to the original drawing of Smith on the other.

As a cultural denominator, the cult of the sneaker is second to none, so McCartney’s turning one of the world’s most iconic sneakers into a vegan icon sends out a powerful message. “You shouldn’t have to sacrifice any style for sustainability,” the designer told FN last week at her pop-up launch in Paris’ Galeries Lafayette.

The forerunner of the Parisian love affair with the sneaker, the Stan Smith remains one of the city’s most popular kicks. Legend has it that its denizens embraced the shoe en masse after Phoebe Philo wore a pair to take her bow on the Céline runway.

The new vegan Stan Smiths also bear McCartney’s signature, along with strips of punched-out stars on the side to replace Adidas’ signature Three Stripes. McCartney’s logo is on the heel together with her label’s recognizable burgundy and blue stripe bands.

The launch follows McCartney’s long-term collaboration with Adidas, which started in spring/summer 2005. Available as of today, the shoes will retail globally both in-store and online for around $300.