Iconic local brand Nandos and PUMA will be dropping an exciting collab come Heritage Day, the PUMA x Nando’s RS-Xtra Hot.

Yes, you heard us correctly, perennial Peri-Peri chicken favourite Nando’s are releasing a sneaker -and with top German brand PUMA to boot. This is not any old tackie…this is the real deal, a shoe that any sneakerhead would covet.

Brett Bellinger, PUMA SA Marketing Director says of the partnership, “PUMA wanted to celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa by partnering with an iconic local brand that could help us capture the essence of what it means to be South African. Bold. Fiery. Somewhat audacious and eternally optimistic. Who better to announce as our partner than Nando’s, the brand that has been a part of the social and cultural fabric of South Africa since 1987”.

After digging into the PUMA archives, they, along with the Nando’s team have reimagined the RS sneaker first launched in the 1980s. This is especially fitting since Nando’s – proudly Johannesburg brand – opened their first restaurant in Rosetenville 36 years ago, and today have 1200 stores in 22 countries.

GM of Marketing for the food brand Jessica Wheeler says, “To encapsulate the fiery spirit of South Africans is something we strive to do daily through our marketing activity and to reflect in our stores and our menu, but to have that embodied in a sneaker is just next level. Nando’s resonates deeply with the spirit of creativity, and we believe that creativity can be a force for good and for change”.

The PUMA RS (Running System) was created to be the world’s first wearable sports product, and the world’s first smart shoe, and has been continually reinvented since 2018 with new styles and collaborations, including those with The Smurfs and Spongebob.

The new shoe is no less cool. The RS-Xtra Hot features a printed chilli formstrip, the Nando’s PERi-ometer® with heat levels, the heel cup referencing the colours of Nando’s sauces the PUMA logo fired up in the Nando’s font – which is based on the hand-painted signwriting of artist Marks Salimu. There’s also the Nando’s signature Barci Cockerel and an insole paying homage to the iconic sauce bottle, all wrapped up in Nando’s vibrant colours.

The PUMA X Nando’s RS-Xtra Hot (R1999) will be release in limited quantities in SA, the US and UAE and will be available at PUMA.com, PUMA Retail Stores, sportscene, Side Step, Shelflife, Shesha, Superbalist, The Cross Trainer, Sneaker District and Colt45 by Al Capone.

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In an effort to reduce their impact on the environment and meet the growing needs of conscious consumers, global brands are working on ways to make more sustainable sneakers.

The fashion industry is notorious for its heavy footprint on the ecosystems within which it operates. Globally, according to the Pretty Planeteer, textile waste amounts to about 13-million tonnes of missed opportunities each year. It’s almost more than one can comprehend, and it happens with far too much ease – discarded clothing and offcuts end up in landfills at a rapid rate.

Fortunately, manufacturers have begun dancing to the beat laid down by consumers, and making attempts to give the planet a break by adopting more ethical production practices. Inevitably, they are still going to make products – but the growing trend urges them to consider how they’ll go about it. This more environmentally friendly twist on consumerism is a step in the right direction, and it ticks boxes for stylish and sustainable shoppers.

VEJA

These beauties are the golden child of the sustainable sneaker world. Since 2005, Veja has been paving the way forward for considerate kicks by combining social projects, economic justice and the use of environmentally friendly materials. Veja sneakers are made from Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton, Amazon rubber and recycled plastic. Whether it’s pushing the boundaries by creating vegan sneakers – using cotton canvas coated in corn – or using fabric made from 100%-recycled plastic, it’s clear that the brand is not resting on its laurels. Rather, it is perpetually improving, and determined to keep doing so, one step at a time.

PUMA

PUMA’s RE.GEN collection makes a move towards re-valuing recycled material. Leather offcuts, cotton offcuts and polyester made from recycled plastic combine in a three-pronged approach to give materials that would ordinarily be discarded a second chance. Beyond this collection, PUMA says it is moving “Forever Faster” to make products that are “Forever Better”. As part of its sustainability strategy, the company’s aim is to ensure that, by 2025, nine out of 10 items it creates are made from more sustainable materials. Last year, more than 97% of PUMA’s leather, polyester and cardboard were sustainably sourced, which means five out of 10 PUMA products were created through more sustainable practices. This translates to less water and chemicals used in production processes – and a win for the environment. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that there is no compromise when it comes to the freshness of the kicks…

CONVERSE

The Renew recycled knit is the new lightweight, sustainable offering in the Converse stable. Its toe cap is made from regrind rubber; recycled polyester shape-shi s to create the laces, and the OrthoLite footbed makes this streetwear icon sustainable from the inside out. You’ve also got the option to elevate your fi t with the Chuck Taylor All Star Crater, which boasts an ethically sourced outsole, regrind rubber and an upper made from recycled plastic.

REEBOK X SEALAND GEAR

In a partnership designed to kick-start Reebok’s mission to become 100% sustainable by 2030, the [REE]cycled Classic Leather Legacy and Legacy 83 were born. Thirty percent of the uppers of both these silhouettes is made from recycled materials. Sealand Gear produced a limited-edition bag as part of the collaboration, and the first 300 South African shoppers to buy a pair of the sustainable sneakers were gifted one of the upcycled bags. Ninety percent of Sealand Gear’s products are already made from upcycled materials, so Reebok has undoubtedly found good common ground by working with a brand that’s an industry leader on the sustainability front.

adidas

The sneaker giant released an ecofriendly iteration of the well-loved Stan Smith silhouette earlier this year. The court sneakers can be found pounding pavements everywhere, happy in the knowledge that they’ve been produced with materials that help end plastic waste.

Adding further fuel to the joy-filled fire, these Stan Smith Forever sneakers come kitted with characters from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel characters. But if you’re into the more classic silhouette, that option is available too – just be sure to reach for the PRIMEGREEN uppers.

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From a kaleidoscopic lighthouse mural by artist Okuda San Miguel and cleverly designed milk packaging to a stylish chair from local brand Lemon, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 349.

adidas Clean Classics Collection

adidas has given its classic sneakers an eco-friendly redesign, making use of Primegreen materials, made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, in combination with renewable and reclaimed rubber for the soles and 70% recycled materials for the uppers. The Clean Classics collection, available online and at selected adidas stores, aims to address the issue of plastic waste.

Images courtesy of adidas

Lemon’s Kent Chair

Designed for Lemon by interior designer Yaniv Chen of Master Studio, the Kent Chair was inspired by 1950s design, and Italian 1950s design in particular. “I feel that a piece’s detailing, even its ergonomics can take someone back in time,” says Yaniv. “I like that someone will sit in this chair and feel a subtle sense of nostalgia.”

Images courtesy of Lemon

Depot Milk Carton Packaging

Russian design agency Depot has created a range of clever packaging designs for Milgrad Bryansk Dairy Plant. The blue cat is featured in different positions on various cartons that create a story once placed together.

Image credit: depotwpf.com

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PUMA goes bold for its Summer 2020 collection, collaborating with illustrator Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle.

Reversible Coach Jacket

PUMA is well-known for its innovative collaborations. This new collection sees Mr Doodle’s vibrant squiggles and impressions, reminiscent of playful children’s drawings, feature on the brand’s apparel and footwear. The artist’s “Graffiti Spaghetti”, as it is often described, includes odd shapes, curves and characters that make his designs stand out on any canvas, including furniture.

RS-2K

The PUMA X Mr Doodle collection includes apparel, accessories and footwear in silhouettes synonymous with the athleisure brand. The designs are predominantly black and white, with touches of orange and lavender on some of the products. Included in the collection are the RS-2K sneakers, Reversible Coach Jacket and the Leadcat 20 sandals.

Reversible Coach Jacket

Leadcat 20

PUMA x Mr Doodle is now available via PUMA.com, at PUMA Select stores in Cape Town and Braamfontein, X-Trend, Archive online, Hipkicks and Superbalist.

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Sneaker and apparel brand Converse recently launched Unity, a campaign that aligns with its #CreateAtHome initiative, which aimed to encourage fans of the brand to get creative during lockdown.

This new campaign sees five celebrated artists collaborate with the brand on an exclusive range of sneakers.

Fhatuwani Mukheli, Sindiso Nyoni, Nardstar*, David Tshabalala and Falko Fantastic have teamed up with Converse to visually depict the local experience of the pandemic while promoting a message of positivity and hope.

Each artist has created an artwork to be featured on the iconic Converse Hi-top. There will only be 75 pairs of each design, all of which are available to pre-order via converse.co.za. The sneakers retail at R1 600 per pair.

All of the proceeds from the sale of the sneakers will go to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

For more information and to pre-order, visit converse.co.za.

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From compostable sneakers and flooring made from recycled truck tyres to wooden travel maps and a door handle inspired by the Strelitzia, these are top VISI picks of the week series – week 286.

1. Something Desired’s Sorbet Collection

Local decor brand Something Desired has released its Sorbet Collection, a range punctuated by playful furniture pieces, bright colours and fruity patterns, from the Cane & Mint Daybed to the multi-use Peach Side Board Couch with interchangeable cushions.

Images courtesy of something-desired.com

2. Strelitzia Door Pull Handle by Pullcast

When looking out of the window on the island of Madeira, Pullcast’s Head Designer and CEO João Barros spotted the magnificent Strelitzia in the garden, inspiring the brand to create a polished brass handle that celebrates one of South Africa’s most recognisable plants.

Images courtesy of pullcast.eu

3. Biodegradable Sneakers by Native Shoes

Canadian brand Native Shoes has launched the Plant Shoe, a pair of sneakers made from eucalyptus, dried hevea milk and pineapple husks. The sneakers are not only biodegradable and compostable, they’re also free from animal products.

Images via dezeen.com

4. Wooden Travel Maps by Enjoy The Wood

Ukraine-based brand Enjoy The Wood is behind the design of these hand-made wooden travel wall maps. Made from high-quality birch plywood, the maps come with push pins that you can use to mark off which countries you’ve visited.

Images via enjoythewood.com

5. New Recycled Rubber Flooring

Van Dyck Floors, which forms part of South Africa’s oldest carpet manufacturing company Van Dyck Carpets, has released a range of rubber flooring products, including tiles, pavers and interlocking mats. Made from recycled truck tyres, the sustainable range is designed to be durable, safe and practical.

Image courtesy of vandyckfloors.co.za

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New York-based artist and designer Sue Tsai has collaborated with PUMA on a new capsule collection.

The 27-piece range, entitled Wildflowers, is made up of sneakers and apparel and features Sue’s take on “flowers gone wild”. Think cherry blossom bombs and lotus rocket ships.

Sneakers inspired by the classic PUMA Cali and Nova silhouettes are decorated with hand-painted and hand-drawn flowers, while apparel sees the addition of Sue’s peonies and wild flowers.

Cali ‘Peonies Camo’ S.TSAI

The range is available locally from 16 March 2019 at PUMA Select, X-Trend, Superbalist and Madaiza.

To see more of Sue Tsai’s work, visit sue-tsai.com.

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Celebrating its 50^th year on the streets, sneaker and sportswear brand PUMA has paired up with innovative New York-based street artist Bradley Theodore to create a range of fresh PUMA Suedes.

The design features hand-painted Pantone stains in a variety of bright colours, splashed over the black suede upper and laces, which are encased by a translucent outsole. As a nod to Theodore’s form, each sneaker displays a tiny, radiant skull on the heel and is accompanied by his signature on the lateral side.

Bradley Theodore.

Known for his vibrant, skeletal renditions of pop culture icons like Muhammad Ali and Karl Lagerfeld, Theodore explains that his inspiration for the PUMA X BT collection came from the act of creating.  “When I’m painting in the streets, I’m wiping my hands off on my clothing in order to pick up my phone or grab a new brush,” he explains. “Organically I started to have people comment on my paint-stained clothes and want to know where to buy them, so I wanted to bring that element to the PUMA collaboration. I once had someone offer $10 000 to frame my pants!”

The sneakers are complemented by a range of T7 track pants and tees.

The Suede 50: PUMA x BT collection will be available locally from early September at PUMA SELECT stores, with apparel available at X-trend.

For more information, visit puma.com.

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From balloon birds and an off-the-grid holiday cabin to a new drop from adidas Originals and an exciting menu at Cavalli Estate, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 245.

1. Eco-friendly Holiday Cabin

“Designed by Robin Falck, this portable A-frame holiday cabin is located on an island near Helsinki,” says Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink. “It’s made from sustainable, locally sourced plywood and pine and makes use of renewable energy.”

Image credit: dezeen.com

2. T James Cook’s Bird Balloon Sculptures

“Artist T James Cook began experimenting with making balloon animals after he made a series of balloon sculptures for his niece,” says Copy Editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen. “I love the fact that he places his bright and beautiful bird creations in their natural habitats.”

Image credit: designboom.com

3. The Restaurant at CAVALLI

Under Head Chef Michael Deg, the beautifully designed Restaurant at Cavalli (previously featured here) is know for its specialised menus, from those focused on specific ingredients to different methods of cooking,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “The latest rendition is FIRE, celebrating all things chargrilled, flambéed and smoked. You can test out the menu for yourself until the end of August. Don’t forget to pop into the gallery too for a look at the Estate’s latest exhibition.”

Image credit: cavallistud.com

4. Europe’s Tallest Building

“The Lakhta Centre in Russia’s St Petersburg, designed by RMJM, will soon be Europe’s tallest building,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “It has 87 floors and is 462 metres high!”

Image credit: Viktor Sukharukov via dezeen.com

5. adidas Originals P.O.D.System

“adidas Originals has launched a new silhouette inspired by collective memory,” says Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood. “The sneaker is designed with natural motion in mind and is available at adidas Originals stores and online. Watch the documentary below to gain insight into the design process behind the shoe.”

Image credit: adidas.co.za Video credit: adidas Originals on YouTube

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PUMA has once again joined forces with British, New York-based visual artist Shantell Martin on a new collaborative collection covered in vibrant illustrations.

Shantell, whose work attempts to make a connection between everyday life, fine art and performance art, has combined colour with a series of her distinct illustrations and typography, reminiscent of the ’90s rave era. Bold, playful and intricate details feature alongside her signature phrases, such as “Find Your Way” and “One, Two, Free”.

Muse Maia SM.

The collection, which features the Muse Maia Graphic SM sneaker (R2 699), the Platform Trace Strap SM (R2 299), Basket Graphic SM (R24 99), Leadcat Graphic SM (R999) and the PUMA X Shantell Windbreaker (R1 799), Tee (R549), Crew (R1 099), Tights (R1 299) and Cap (R449), drops on 21 July 2018 at PUMA SELECT, Madaiza, Superbalist, X-Trend, selected Archive stores and independent retailers throughout the country.

For more information, visit pumaselect.co.za.

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