Last month PUMA added another layer to the 1987 Basketball sneaker, the Slipstream's storied history. In a fanfare moment consisting of major PUMA ambassadors, including Neymar Jr, LaMelo Ball, and Romeo Beckham, the Slipstream was dropped in a flurry of new colors with an updated look and feel, incorporating new materials into its classic silhouette.
The Slipstream is all about reinvention- a reinvention of the traditional basketball sneaker in 1987, bringing forward-thinking style to the court. Reinvention in 2002 with its initial re-release and a reinvention of a court classic for the street today. So in the spirit of reinvention, we asked two of today's most talented customizers and creatives to put their spin on the Slipstream.
Highsnobiety favorite Davide Perella is an art director and graphic designer from Milan who has been subverting the design codes of the world's biggest sports and luxury brands to the pleasure of the internet. From high-heels, sunglasses, and umbrellas to handcuffs, gimp masks, and eggplants, there are not many items Perella hasn't brandilized. But every single design has its finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist. Perella never misses a beat. We asked Perella to put his unique stamp of creativity on the latest Slipstream model, and he has not disappointed. For this assignment, Perella has souped-up the sneaker in pimp my ride fashion, giving it a luxury automobile spin. His Slipstream has its own 3D printed hood ornament and even a leveled-up crome box. We caught up with him to get a glimpse into the inspiration and process.
How did you get into this style of design?
I have always been intrigued and attracted to fashion and design in general. all forms of art have always aroused strong emotions in me, so, since I was just a student, I began totake a deeper interest in design, directing my studies in that direction. As a creative I always try to give new life to the things I like or would like to see realized. I enjoy creating my projects, and I like the idea of amusing and surprising even those who follow me and those who look at my works. Changing the nature of objects that already exist and projecting them into "my world" is by far the thing I like to do the most.
How did you develop the idea for the Slipstream 're-do'?
When I was contacted for this project, I couldn't wait to get to work to create something different for PUMA. I think that Slipstreams have a simple and contemporary silhouette, and that gives people the opportunity to wear them with what they like best since they adapt to different occasions of use. Today the world of fashion and sneakers is centered on who gets the rarest and most limited piece, almost as if to make an investment. As you know, some sneakers are worth more than a car (an expensive car). And this is where, looking at the PUMA logo, I thought about turning it into a hood ornament.
What was your process?
I started with a 3D scan of the shoe to have a base to work on. I drew the plate on the toe and then obviously the three-dimensional PUMA logo. Everything was then printed in resin with a 3D printer. Even the PUMA-shaped lace locks were created with the same procedure. All elements were then painted with a mirror chrome paint. I also worked directly on the shoes with black leather paint, new laces, and some metal details to elevate the design. The shoebox has also been customized with a chrome logo because I am crazy about these kinds of details.
Another designer with their finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist is All Amin, who breaks through the idea of how sustainable products should look. The Kurdish artist and founder of the clothing brand HARAM has been specializing their craft in sneaker upcycling since 2019. Her aesthetic sits somewhere between a happy hardcore rave in a safer part of the Mad Max universe and if Vivian Westwood grew up on '90s Rnb dressing TLC instead of the Sex Pistols. Amin's reinvention of the Slipstream takes the sneaker from the court to the mall in a bag rendition that recalls the best accessories Clueless has to offer. Read below to get some insights into Amin's process and creativity.
Where did you get the idea to flip the sneaker in this way?
I was excited to challenge myself in this project. My goal was to create a completely new sneaker handbag prototype. My inspiration came from the slipstream itself. Especially when working with sneakers that have their own lines, I just follow the shape and the edges and trust the cutting process itself. This is how most of my creations come about.
What drives your artistic process?
I hope for a better future, to be honest. I noticed how differently people perceived upcycling after seeing my range of designs. That's when I realize how much potential upcycling has in the big sustainability discussion, especially for younger generations. If we can get the next generation excited about the idea that sustainable fashion can look sick and be worth consuming instead of new fashion, hopefully, there will be a bigger shift in the long run.
Where do you wanna take your art in the future?
I'm definitely trying to push my art much more mainstream within the upcycling agenda because it's still considered a niche practice. So I believe that the boundaries in the fashion industry need to be pushed even further and that through upcycled fashion, we can raise awareness for a more sustainable future.
You can buy the PUMA Slipstream here.
