In June, PUMA and Pleasures delighted sneaker (and barbiecore) fans alike with a futuristic and entirely pink take on the Velophasis sneaker. Now, the duo is back for an equally eye-catching part two.
What the collaboration did so well first time around was take PUMA’s rich athletic history and fuse it with Pleasures' playful irreverence, resulting in a sneaker that was heavily fuelled by the 00s zeitgeist yet felt contemporary thanks to the overdyed color treatment.
The second collaboration between the sporting giant and LA streetwear label continues to build on this aesthetic, extending it to a full apparel collection (the first time the two have collaborated on clothing) and two new Y2K-flavored colorways of the Velophasis. The drop blends comfort, punchy colors, and playful graphics, making it a guaranteed win for fall. These are the types of pieces you’ll find yourself gravitating to day after day as the temperature continues to drop.
The center of the collection is the Velophasis sneaker, a relatively new silhouette that has been spotted on Skepta and NBA star Kyle Kuzma. A retro-futuristic design inspired by the 00s running shoes, the Velophasis features an upper with a mesh base and contrasting leather overlays, and, in true Y2K style, the sole is chunky and over-proportioned in comparison to the streamlined upper. This juxtaposition ensures the sneaker feels modern while keeping to its 00s influences.
For this collection, Pleasures has reworked the silhouette in two new colorways. An off-white pair with a subtle yellowing on the sole for those after a more subtle option, and a bold orange and black colorway for those wanting a sneaker that packs a colorful punch as the darker days descend.
Beyond footwear, the collection also counts apparel for the first time, and PUMA and Pleasures have gone all out. Puffers, hoodies, sweats, t-shirts, jackets—this is a fully thought-through collection of streetwear staples. The highlight (and the clear favorite at the launch event) is the mid-length puffer jacket available in neon orange and purple. It features a subtle graphic print all over and “Pleasures”, “Sportartikelhersteller” (which translates to sporting goods manufacturer) and the PUMA cat on the back.
References to both brands’ countries of origin appear throughout the collection. “Sportartikelhersteller” and “Biergarten” graphics in fonts reminiscent of gothic Fraktur appear on t-shirts; washing directions in German are printed on the back of hoodies. In a nod to Pleasures' home turf, there’s an oversized hockey-style jersey.
Continuing on the German-inspired theme, PUMA and Pleasures celebrated the collection's launch in Berlin with the Velophasis Sound System event. Think Oktoberfest with an LA twist and a heavy dose of Berlin club vibes.
We were picked up outside the Michelberger Hotel, a hotel and restaurant favored by musicians, in a vintage bus decorated with PUMA x Pleasures branding. Seated with beers and pretzels in hand, we were taken on a tour along the East Side Gallery—the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall that now serves as a permanent open-air gallery—before arriving at the location for the night.
Nestled between train lines and the Spree River, the sneaker community from Europe and the UK, including ex-pro footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng, came together in a PUMA x Pleasures beer hall, with food trucks serving local specialties such as "käsespätzle" (German mac n' cheese), pretzels, and hotdogs. Guests could check out the collection in a pop-up shop hosted in partnership with Berlin sneaker store Overkill, and even get tattooed at a flash tattoo booth. As the night went on, a back room opened where DJs Stinhow, Lukinu, and Dekkapa played to revelers into the early hours of the morning.
Shop it now on the Highsnobiety Shop, at PUMA and in stores.
