The history of the PUMA Suede is as colorful as the multitude of tonal variations it is available in today. From its first iteration as the Crack to the Suede as we know it today, the sneaker has hundreds of stories to tell. From podiums with one of the first civil rights activists in sport, courts with basketball's first style icon to the frontlines of some of counter-cultures most important moments including hip-hop and the b-boy scene, the Suede has seen it all.
The Suede is a sneaker for all time that has managed to transcend trends and taste. This could come down to its minimal aesthetic; its low cut and soft suede upper can be worn with anything, from the tracksuit to the tailored suit. It could also be that its subtleness lends itself to characters who break the mold and the status quo, in their style and their deeds. Ultimately it doesn't take the attention away from a fit or moment in time; instead, it compliments, leaving the wearer to represent themselves.
The sneakers' popularity in the US was catching on overseas, with UK b-boys and b-girls picking up on the look so effortlessly carried by their stateside counterparts. The time was right for PUMA to push their suede sneakers internationally. Finally, The Suede as we know it today entered the market place. The sneaker was such an icon in the US scene the British branch of PUMA even decided to name it 'States' for its initial UK release.
The Suede has never left hip-hop, any sneaker aficionado knows that they need to own at least one model to be considered a real collector. This owes much to the history the Suede has and the respect it deserves. Generation after generation it has been there to tell an important story.
In recent times the Suede inspired Rihanna's first PUMA shoe, the Fenty Creeper, whilst PUMA Hoops creative director Jay-Z picked the Clyde as the shoe to model the brand's first foray back into basketball with the PUMA Clyde Court Disrupt. More than 50 years on and that very first PUMA lifestyle sneaker is still inspiring new models and the people that wear them to represent themselves and create their own generation-defining moments.
Head over here to check out PUMA's latest Suede Classic XXI collection. Reserve your pairs now.
Words by Kev Soar / Highsnobiety.com
- Photographer:Marius Knieling
- Photographer:Ahmed Chrediy
- Graphic Artist:Wei Prior
- Producer:Semjon Pitschugin
- Lead Creative:Sian O'Flaherty
- Project Manager:Illena Vottari
- Project Manager:Sarah Vielhaus
- Copywriter:Kevin Soar
- Photo Assistant:Arne Vorssfeldt
- Photo Assistant:Will Jivcoff
- Set Design:Emilia Margulis
- Set Design Assistant:Kit Lewis
- Stylist:Lorena Maza
- Stylist Assistant:Marta Gonzales
- Runner:Samuel Smelty
- Model:Lawrie
- Model:Salif @TIGERSmgmt
- Location - FEZ berlin:Dirk Nowak