For over 40 years, fans have been smitten by Hello Kitty. I am one of them.
She may only be as tall as five apples and weighs the same as three, but her influence spans the world over, gracing all things ‘kawaii’ since she first debuted in Japan in 1974. The PUMA Suede born in 1968 has long established its iconic status with roots in sport and relevance in the sneaker world. Both Hello Kitty and the PUMA Suede are certified pop cultural icons #ForAllTime.
How else can you explain a multi-billion dollar brand built largely on word of mouth? Hello Kitty is for fans of all ages, making her the perfect addition to the Suede’s 50th Anniversary.
Everything about the collection, from the red bow-toms to her milk bottle icon, pays homage to Hello Kitty, the little girl from London who loves fresh-baked cookies and Mama’s apple pie. Bold colours, cheeky graphics and fun, intricate details make this offering uniquely endearing.
We’ve seen the Suede get funky, fresh, chic and sporty. Now, we see the silhouette at its cutest. The PUMA x Hello Kitty Suede Classic toebox, tongue, laces, heel and Formstripe are a radiant red, popping against a Hello Kitty pattern and a chunky white sole. A notable detail includes the red bow-toms that showcase Hello Kitty’s signature bow, beaming through translucent outsoles. The PUMA x Hello Kitty Suede Classic shoes are available in adult and junior, pre-school and infant sizes.
Apparel pieces round out the PUMA x Hello Kitty capsule collection. The PUMA x Hello Kitty Tee in white with the collab logo is all charm, while a red-white T7 set is peak adorable. The PUMA x Hello Kitty T7 Hoodie in red features the iconic 7cm stripe along the shoulder and arms with the trademark logo on the front and back. The PUMA x Hello Kitty Pants, also Red with the T7 stripe, feature a small Hello Kitty icon on the front right leg and her classic milk bottle icon on the back of the left hip.
A nod to Sanrio’s “small gift, big smile” philosophy, the capsule collection also features supercute coordinating accessories like the Red-White PUMA x Hello Kitty Backpack and Gym Sack with an unforgettable collab logo and the PUMA x Hello Kitty Cap with a red translucent bill.
The PUMA x HELLO KITTY Suede collection drops on 8th February at PUMA SELECT, X-Trend Store and Jack Lemkus.
Follow @PUMASportstyle and @PUMASouthAfrica for all Suede 50 updates and check #ForAllTime to keep up with the conversation. Also visit the PUMA SELECT blog at www.pumaselect.co.za, which gets a hot new look from 01st February.
