Puma x PLEASURES x Paris:
The launch of the Velophasis
Pleasures and Puma have collaborated to bring us a larger than life new Velophosis trainer and we had the great pleasure of joining them in Paris to celebrate the release.
PLEASURES is the Los Angeles-based streetwear brainchild of Alex James and Vlad Elkin. Known for bold graphics and nostalgic nods, PLEASURES quickly garnered attention for their provocative designs inspired by British punk, grunge, and ’90s subcultures which were then refracted through a heavily American lens.
Puma possibly need less of an introduction and unless you’ve had shoe blinkers on for the last few years you’ll have noticed a resurgence in the popularity of certain Puma models, particularly exaggerated running silhouettes borrowed from the archives like the Velophasis. Thus resolidifying Puma’s position in the footwear field as having the magical tri-factor blend of style, performance and affordability.
So how do these two worlds & brands unify to revamp the Velophasis? Pleasures founder Alex puts his stamp on the retro-futuristic silhouette by giving it a hyper-pink colour drench that glowed effervescent on the streets of Paris. The monochrome approach emphasises the signature chunky sole and layered, textured asymmetry whilst over-dying the fabric upper lends the trainer some lived-in charm. A daring duality that is not for the faint of foot.
The launch night festivities took the form of a sound system and street party hosting a small fleet of musicians and taste-makers decked out in co-ordinating pinker-thank-pink outfits as well as a smattering of Pleasures tees boasting ‘I survived Paris fashion week’. Chi Virgo gave a high-octane performance that pulled in passers by on bikes as the show-rooms and closing events spilled out onto the pavements and mingled with the annual celebration of Fete de la Musique.(Very much to the dismay of anyone in a vehicle with four wheels.) The sun set, the pavements with stippled with acid-pink dad shoes and another chaotic fashion week drew to a celebratory close.
A night to remember and a shoe to stand out in. Shop it here or here
