For almost half a century, the German Army Trainer has done something that very few sneakers ever manage to pull off: absolutely nothing. Originally developed for the West German military back in the ’70s as an indoor training shoe, the German Army Trainer (or GAT, for short) was built with function in mind. Different manufacturers produced versions for the West German military over the years. In 1999, Maison Margiela took original surplus pairs, repainted them by hand, and sent them down the runway. While they probably didn't realise it at the time, the German Army Trainer would, from then on, become one of the most influential silhouettes in modern menswear.