adidas Originals and VegNonVeg unveil their first collaboration, the VegNonVeg Samba Mule. A reinterpretation of the iconic terrace silhouette that takes inspiration from the Jutti, a traditional Indian footwear designed for India’s climate, culture and way of life. Chosen for its enduring place in sneaker culture, the Samba has evolved from a terrace classic into one of the most recognisable and influential silhouettes ever, making it the perfect icon to reinterpret through an Indian lens.

For the last 10 years, VegNonVeg has explored what it means to represent contemporary India. Rooted in New Delhi but informed by a global perspective, the brand has consistently navigated the space between the familiar and the evolving. That same philosophy forms the foundation of its first collaboration sneaker with adidas Originals.

The VegNonVeg Samba Mule is designed for transition and built for versatility — to slip on and off with ease, it moves effortlessly across contexts, cultures and styles — equally appropriate with western or traditional fits, worn casually or formally. More than a reinterpretation of an icon, it reflects a more fluid approach to style — one that changes with mood, identity and occasion.

“VegNonVeg’s design process began with the Samba, but it was important to bring India into it. Developed with The Three Stripes, the new mule silhouette responds to the everyday ritual of taking shoes on and off. By reworking an icon through an Indian lens, we’ve created something that feels both timeless and global.” - Abhineet Singh (VegNonVeg Co-Founder). 

The iconic Samba T-toe subtly extends into a pointed padded tongue. At the same time, tonal plant and leaf embroidery across the upper symbolises growth, community, and VegNonVeg’s Indian roots, with the adidas Originals Trefoil as a gold flower. Gold foil VEGNONVEG and SAMBA branding adds a refined contrast, while the red lining references the rich colour found in traditional Juttis.

Inside, the green and red insoles represent “Veg” and “NonVeg”, bringing together opposites through a shared appreciation of sneakers and streetwear. Each carries its own message, “From VegNonVeg with love” and “To India and beyond”, alongside decorative artwork inspired by the ornamentation of Indian Juttis.

This brand-new silhouette arrives in two premium leather colourways: a Black colourway that’s available globally at select Global adidas partner stores, and a Silver colourway available exclusively at VegNonVeg in India. Together, they offer two distinct expressions of the same design, one designed to travel the world, and one created especially for home.

The visual language for the campaign is a juxtaposition of the very old and the very now. It is inspired by miniature paintings, VegNonVeg’s backyard, the beauty, the chaos, the ruins and progress, all the things that are coexisting and shaping our world.