Regardless of the design, rollout or sales results, every player has a special attachment to their very first signature shoe. “For me, the Curry 1 is just iconic,” said Stephen Curry. “When I first saw it, it was like nothing I’d seen before: the dimpled upper, the Charged Foam midsole, the debut of the SC30 logo. It was so exciting to know that I could incorporate colors and themes that are close to my heart to celebrate the milestones and moments of the year. Early on, a blue and yellow look paid homage to “Dub Nation.” A purple and teal edition tells the story of “Father 2 Son,” paying homage to his father Dell’s days with the Charlotte Hornets. And a gray and red pair inspired by his alma mater Davidson College launched in March 2015. Curry’s brand even took a risk with a white, black and gold graphic edition—one he’d wear if he won MVP or an NBA title that season. As fate would have it, he delivered on both. “Winning your first championship with your own shoe was a very special opportunity,” he recalled. “I knew it would depend on my success on the court, but taking those first steps in the iconic shoe game meant the world to me.”
Riding the wave of success is no easy feat. While the Curry 2 became a best-seller in the series and Curry won another MVP award wearing the shoe, the Warriors ultimately fell short in the 2016 NBA Finals after their historic 73-9 regular season. “You always have the opportunity to come back and rewrite your story, to let that loss fuel the comeback,” Curry reflected. “You have to understand that failure is part of the process — it’s not all smooth sailing, it’s not all about celebration and success. It’s about what you learn in the tough times.” In many ways, the launch colorway of the Curry 2 embodied that professional approach. Dubbed “Iron Sharpens Iron,” the gray base featured a bright orange flash along the midsole. “There’s a biblical reference there, but also just a mantra that nothing I do, or anything special in this world, can be done alone,” Curry explained. The shoe released in more than a dozen colorways that season, each featuring the Speedform fit system and Charged Foam cushioning that Curry loved on the court. Despite the ups and downs, he remained committed to creating a signature line that truly reflected his journey.
“For a lot of people, the Curry 2 became one of the most comfortable shoes they’ve ever worn — that was so rewarding to hear,” Curry beamed. “There was a lot of excitement around the debut of the Curry 1, but to then take that experience and take it to the next level with a shoe that’s even more plush, more durable and more supportive? That says a lot.” When he thinks back on the Curry 2, some notable colorways immediately come to mind, like the black and gold version celebrating his second MVP award. But it’s the “Iron Sharpens Iron” launch look that stands out the most to him. “That mentality is something I truly live by,” Curry said, his voice brimming with sincerity. “You have that visual representation of it — you have to go through these tough experiences in order to sharpen each other and elevate each other. That accountability to your teammates and your coaches, that’s what brings out the best in each of us.” »He paused, a meaningful smile crossing his face. “The Curry 2 wasn’t just about making a great shoe. It was about embodying that work, that perseverance in the face of setbacks. That’s what makes the journey worth it in the end.”
By the time the Curry 3 was set to launch in fall 2016, there had been months of intense scrutiny and commentary on media channels. The shoe’s advertising didn’t shy away from that narrative—in fact, it confronted it head-on. “73 and 9,” one skeptical teenager remarked to Curry. “And no ring?” “The ‘Make That Old’ campaign was really about coming to terms with that tough loss in the 2016 Finals,” Curry explained. “For me, it was about finding that renewed motivation to get back on top—to prove myself again.” The Curry 3 itself, with its bulkier midsole and heel, didn’t quite garner the same retail success as the first two models. Even so, Curry rolled out several highly coveted colorways and exclusives, including one that had a deeper meaning. "Any time you can honor and respect the inspiration that President Barack Obama gave our country, to celebrate his presidency and the progress that we've made over those eight years — to have the presidential seal and the '44' on the tongue of that shoe, it's always a little surreal to me," Curry said, his voice tinged with awe.
The Curry 4 was originally set to launch in fall 2017. But Steph was more than ready to move on from the third silhouette—so he decided to launch his next model five months early. “I was wearing the Curry 3 all year, and then the 3Zeroes in the playoffs, and then showing up in the Finals in Game 4 in this classic, crisp white colorway with just a little gold accent? I just remember the arena being absolutely electric,” he recalls, a smile in his voice. “I walked out and put my foot on the bench, and there was just this buzz of excitement and whispers all around: ‘What is he wearing? What is this?’ And it was the Curry 4, it was kind of an iconic moment for sure.” »The Curry 2016 represented a leap forward for the line, with its knit upper, sleeker silhouette and more refined colorways. "It was probably the first time I felt truly comfortable in that shoe, on and off the court," Steph said. As he capped off the 17-4 season by winning his second championship, he returned to the same "Made That Old" mindset he had embodied in the beginning. He even wore a shirt with that simple slogan to the Warriors' celebratory parade, while also sporting a pair of black knit Curry XNUMXs with that gorgeous gold trophy accent.
Building on the excitement surrounding Curry 4's unexpected debut, Stephen Curry knew he wanted to create an equally memorable moment around the launch of his next signature shoe: the Curry 5. And he found the perfect opportunity on a very special day: his 30th birthday, which just so happened to fall on Pi Day, March 14. He made sure to incorporate those “Pi Day” details right into the design of the new sneaker. “Even since I was a kid, having a low-top silhouette has always been my natural vibe, and the Curry 5 was as close as I’ve ever gotten to a true low-top,” he recalls, a hint of excitement in his voice. “Even though I still had to wear my ankle braces, which I hope will allow me to play for as long as I want, having that lower profile on the court felt like a fun new direction for the line.” »As the Warriors headed toward another Finals appearance, Steph proudly donned the simple yet striking white and gold or black, white and gold colorways of the Curry 5. “That shoe was our best chance to be perfect for the biggest stage: going out there and trying to win another championship in 2018,” he said, his tone tinged with both pride and determination. “It was an incredible stage and moment in my career.”
As the Warriors prepared to bid farewell to their longtime home in Oakland and begin a new chapter at Chase Center, Steph knew he wanted to use his iconic footwear line to pay tribute to the city that had supported him for the first 10 years of his career. “We wanted to shine a light on Oakland and the city that supported me throughout this story – a city where we won three championships together,” he recalls. “I wanted to capture the culture, the pride and all the incredible memories of ‘The Town’ and bring them directly into this new chapter of the line.” Thus was born the “Ten In The Town” theme, which is reflected in a series of colorways inspired by Steph’s favorite Oakland landmarks, restaurants, streets and personal memories. The sneakers even featured patterns and graphics that were inspired by the architecture of Oracle Arena itself and the iconic oak tree that can be found on the city’s street signs. During the 2019 playoffs, Steph proudly donned two particularly special looks: a black and yellow pair that featured “Oakland” along the midsole, and a bright red and neon “Roaracle” edition that paid homage to the raucous home crowd. With the league’s new rules allowing for any color shoe, the “Roaracle” pair even took on shades inspired by the highest decibel levels.
While the Curry 7 retained the sleek, understated design of its predecessors, the colorways took on a bolder, more vibrant twist, with neon hues flooding the aesthetic. “Unfortunately, I was out for most of this season due to injury,” Steph reflects somberly. “But even in the limited time I was able to play, we still found moments to celebrate and celebrate.” Indeed, after breaking his left hand just four games into the 2020 season, Curry was out of commission for four long months. But when he finally returned to the court, he made a statement, debuting a mismatched neon green and neon orange colorway of the “Sour Patch Kids” Curry 7. “That shoe gave me so much energy and excitement to get back on the court and play the game that I love,” he recalls with a smile. However, Steph’s return was short-lived, as the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted the season shortly after, leaving the Curry 7 with the least on-court time of any shoe in his signature line. “It’s one of my personal favorites, though,” Steph revealed. “We really put our hearts into the design and the technology.” The shoes featured Under Armour’s premium cushioning and HOVR systems, creating a lightweight yet responsive ride from heel to toe. But the Curry 7 held an even deeper meaning for the superstar: It incorporated artwork and iconography depicting his three beloved children, son Canon and daughters Ryan and Riley.
While injury and pandemic restrictions limited Steph’s time on the court, the forced hiatus gave him ample opportunity to work closely with his creative team in Baltimore on an exciting new venture: launching his own Curry brand. “There was a quiet period where we really dug in and put together an incredible launch for this brand,” Steph recalls. “It was a dream come true, something that built on the incredible eight-year partnership I’ve had with Under Armour.” The new Curry brand would allow Steph to build his own roster of athletes and develop products across a wide range of categories, all bearing his iconic logo. And starting with the Curry 8, his signature sneakers would be led by the Curry Brand, with support from the parent company. To mark the momentous occasion, a striking new ‘Splash’ logo was created, elegantly blending Steph’s iconic ‘S’ and ‘C’ initials with the three-point celebration he’s famous for. “It’s so special to know that not only is the brand launching, but we’re also launching the incredible new Flow technology,” Steph beamed. “It’s a rubber-free outsole, just pure foam – but with incredible traction, court feel and cushioning.”
The Curry 9 continues the evolution of the signature line, bringing back key design elements like the brand’s striking “Splash” logo and renowned Flow cushioning technology. “We wanted to play with how we could express the Flow in new and exciting ways, making it a little more understated than the Curry 8,” Steph explained. “It’s still built on that incredible Flow platform that I love for its incredible performance benefits.” While a collaboration with Sesame Street kicked things off and a Craig Sager-inspired pairing raised money for charity, it was Steph’s on-court accomplishments that truly made the Curry 9 unforgettable. The vibrant blue and gold edition he wore at the iconic Madison Square Garden and the “International Women’s Day” duet celebrating his daughters who he debuted with in the NBA Finals stood out as personal highlights. “We won a championship in those shoes, which was so special,” Steph beamed. “That’s the kind of moment I’ll always be incredibly proud to look back on.” Indeed, Steph places the Curry 9 in an elite tier of his signature line, given that he wore them to win one of his four NBA titles.
During the 2021-22 season, Steph introduced an exciting new element to his on-court footwear: the Curry 4 Flotro. This innovative hybrid combined the timeless silhouette and style of the Curry 4 with the brand’s renowned Flow technology. “It really brought together the best of both worlds for me,” Steph explained. “The Curry 4 and Curry 8 were two of my all-time favorite models, so to be able to combine that classic look and feel with the unmatched performance of Flow was a game changer.” Steph went on to wear the Curry 4 Flotro in a striking lilac purple colorway throughout the NBA playoffs and finals, going undefeated in every game he donned them. It was during this historic playoff run that Steph also debuted his new “Night Night” celebration to close out each series. “These shoes will always hold a special place because we won every game in them during the playoffs,” Steph beamed. “They’re truly undefeated, which makes it a very, very special part of my journey.”
Reaching your 10th signature shoe model is a significant milestone for Stephen Curry, which prompts a deep reflection on his remarkable journey. “To get to the 10th shoe, it took a lot of hard work in many different areas,” Steph reflected thoughtfully. “I’m truly grateful and appreciative of the opportunity to share my story through these shoes and see them worn by people all over the world.” The Curry 10 pays homage to some of the most beloved themes and colorways from his signature line over the years—a “greatest hits” approach that celebrates the iconic moments and designs that have defined his journey. “When you get to that 10th shoe, you realize there’s a whole team behind the scenes that played a crucial role in bringing these shoes to life,” Steph expressed with sincere appreciation. “It’s like my team on the court: we’re all incredibly proud of everything we do with the signature line and now with Curry Brand.” »Looking ahead, Steph is focused on expanding his brand's reach, recruiting up-and-coming athletes like UConn star Azzi Fudd and expanding beyond just basketball shoes.