The year's coming to an end so it's the time various Top 10 lists are made. Well we're no different. Worn My Way asked us to compile our favourite Puma releases of 2013, so here they are. Our opinions and in our words. We're sure there will be some disagreement, but this is our Top 10.
1. PUMA MADE IN JAPAN ‘PYTHON’ BASKET
The impact PUMA Japan has made on worldwide releases over the last few years is evident for everyone to see, so it may not come as a surprise that our top spot goes to one of their projects. Although there were several releases that were made and or available only in Japan, for various reasons these Baskets from the ‘Takumi Python Collection’ takes the crown. When using animal themes as the inspiration for a shoe, it can easily be overdone and go wrong. The two monochrome shoes feature a combination of texture leather to resemble snake scales and soft suede on the uppers. As we’ve come to adore with ‘Made in Japan’ Suede’s they have slim profile, flat sole and a pointy toe section that’s missing from general release made Suede’s.
Throughout the year there were several high profile shoes released which could’ve taken the top spot. A few of those like these were also manufactured in Japan. When considering these against those and other releases; their manufacture quality, attention to detail and price point puts them ahead of any others and thus our Top PUMA release of 2013.
2. BWGH FOR PUMA R698 ‘BLUEFIED’
Brooklyn stand up, you went in…….HARD! This was a project that gained a tremendous amount of excitement in a very short space of time. Generally as a rule, the footwear blogs and the sneaker world get wind of a fresh collaboration weeks sometimes months before its release, this just jumped straight into the scene screaming and shouting and we love it.
The R698 is a great base, one that lends itself to many colour and material options and it’s been a while since we saw a premium make up on this silhouette. Different shades of blue suede and mesh, chenille formstripe, bright white midsole with some classy silver/grey touches, round cotton laces, this was a project that was put together with a lot of TLC and not just another rushed hype gaining product. We believe there’s more to come from this project so keep your eyes peeled for 2014!
3. SNEAKER FREAKER x PUMA BLAZE OF GLORY 5 YR ‘SHARK ATTACK’
Five long years ago, with the sneaker world trending towards casual yet classic footwear, the good guys over at Sneaker Freaker were given an opportunity to work on something special with PUMA. Together they gave us the ‘Great White’ and the ‘Black Beast’ Blaze of Glory. A completely new and fresh casual/fashion running shoe to be added to PUMA’s Trinomic family. This year they teamed up again to re-release the project on its 5 year anniversary, with a few extras…
Premium custom made packaging, absolutely jaw dropping, thick, rich shark skin textured nubuck gave the shoes an added sense of attention to detail than its earlier siblings, we like details! Once again they sold out the world over in minutes, those lucky enough to grab a pair were extremely lucky. Was this shoe ahead of its time 5 years ago, we definitely feel it’s more current today but either way, another solid release by Australia’s best loved jazz mag. Just don’t mention the ‘Shark Bait’ pair to us, we’re still fishing…
4. HUSSEIN CHALAYAN HC90
Another one of PUMA’s regular designers, Hussein Chalayan has had his hands on the fan favourite R698. A make-up we instantly loved that just seemed so simple yet brilliant, it’s all too easy to make a shoe look too busy and muddled in today’s crazy industry. Some brands focus on all out crazy make ups and in your face inspirations, these represent none of that gimmickry.
The resulting designs merge style and function seamlessly, the HC90, a trainer with performance inspired tooling, features a concrete look and textured upper in reference to city landscapes and came in three clean block colour ways, dove grey, black and molten lava red.
5. HYPEBEAST x PUMA BLAZE OF GLORY ‘DIM SUM PROJECT’
This model lends itself very well to premium materials we feel! From the world’s biggest sneaker fashion and lifestyle bloggers! HYPEBEAST cannot be ignored! Dubbed “The Dim Sum Project,” the inspirations were based on Har Gao (shrimp dumpling) and Siu Mai (pork dumpling) which are two dishes often served together.
This time the collection features the new LTWT, a slimmed down, stripped out sleek performance version of the OG. The OG Siu Mai is still our favourite of the 2, a monochromatic yellow upper embodies high quality materials and finishes off the pairs inspiration based on the dish’s brightly coloured wrappings. They had some pretty sick promotional POS items as well, chopsticks anyone?
6. SOLEBOX x PUMA STATES
As 2013 was the Chinese Lunar Year of the Snake, it’s either by coincidence or appropriate that our Top 10 list should feature a shoe including some snakeskin. This entry goes out to Solebox and their three-way States pack which celebrated their 10 year anniversary.Released in 3 colours (Grey, Black & Brown), with only 100 of each made available through Solebox themselves, they sold out quickly leaving many people disappointed they didn’t get a pair. The uppers were covered in luxurious textured suede with a snakeskin formstripe, off-white sole unit and a leather inner lining.
Additional extras included golden lace jewels, plus branded lace tips and tongue logo; they also came with a lanyard and lace-bag for the extra laces. The States is a PUMA model which doesn’t always get the exposure it deserves and has mainly been used for special and limited releases, so to have one designed by one of the world’s most renowned boutiques means it had to make the list.
7. TRINOMIC XT+ SERIES
One of the biggest releases and projects from PUMA this year was the re-issue of the Trinomic XT+ Series and in particular the XT2+ model. At a time when 90’s retro runners are making a large resurgence it was perfect timing and was well received worldwide.
It has been a while since PUMA re-issued a past model which went down so well. But with the attention to detail that these were made to replicate their originals, we can only hope that this is a sign of things to come. Not only did PUMA match the original shoes but also the OG Green Trinomic box which was a great addition. It was great to see an old model re-made for the new market and we look forward the new up and coming mock-up’s.
8. STAPLE x PUMA SUEDE ‘PIGEON’
PUMA this year joined forces with multi-dimensional street-wear brand Staple Design and their iconic founder, Jeff Staple for the first time. Jeff’s no stranger to working on a footwear project and yes, we’ve all seen this ‘Staple’ colour scheme of his before but we think this is the finest silhouette lucky enough to be wrapped in these colours. We’ve said it all before but the Japanese made Suede tooling is the best we’ve seen in decades! They don’t come cheap but for once the premium price represents an all-round premium made shoe in every aspect.
Limited to 500 pairs globally it’s a no brainer that these flew out of stores and are still demanding high prices on the resell market, we’ve not seen prices for PUMA’s reach these dizzy heights since 2005. In today’s market place, that alone shows a pair’s popularity and success so well done to all involved with this one, job well done!
9. MIHARA YASUHIRO MY-71
PUMA has a history of working with various designers and one they’ve worked with various times in the past is Mihara Yasuhiro. This season saw him re-work the infamous RS100 silhouette. The MY-71 paid homage to the classic running design while utilising a moulded one piece upper. Sitting on top if a crisp white midsole, the shoe has a sleek and clean appearance which balanced style and form perfectly.
Although the shoe didn’t receive a huge amount of publicity, those who’ve seen a pair up close will appreciate the design and development gone in to them. In the past some of the collaborations with designers have been a bit off the mark but these were a sure winner.
10. BASKET CLASSIC LFS
Our 10th choice on the year’s top 10 has to be a contentious one….yes there have been a few more exclusive pairs we haven’t covered but our personal No.10 goes to this year’s PUMA Basket LFS, every single one of them!
The basket has almost forever lived in the Suede’s shadow and in 2013 PUMA got this model spot on: great quality materials, excellent shape, gum sole and a below £55.00 RRP made these a brilliant choice for us! The leather used on these has been possibly the best used in years, super soft, textured and in a multitude of tonal colour ways set these head and shoulders above every general release and deservedly into top 10.
No comments:
Post a Comment