Last month, PUMA added another layer to the basketball shoe of 1987, the legendary history of the Slipstream. In a moment of fanfare featuring major PUMA ambassadors including Neymar Jr, LaMelo Ball and Romeo Beckham, the Slipstream has launched in a slew of new colors with an updated look and feel, incorporating new materials into its classic silhouette.

The Slipstream is all about reinvention – a reimagining of the traditional 1987 basketball sneaker, bringing fashion-forward style to the court. Reinvented in 2002 with its initial reissue and a reimagining of a court classic for the streets today. So, in the spirit of reinvention, we asked two of today’s most talented customizers and creatives for their thoughts on the Slipstream.

Highsnobiety favorite Davide Perella is an art director and graphic designer from Milan who has subverted the design codes of the world’s biggest sports and luxury brands for the sake of the internet. From high heels, sunglasses, and umbrellas to handcuffs, gimp masks, and eggplants, there aren’t many items Perella hasn’t brandished. But each design has its finger on the pulse of the times. Perella never misses a beat. We asked Perella to put his unique stamp of creativity on the latest Slipstream model, and he didn’t disappoint. For this mission, Perella pumped up the fashionable pimp my ride sneaker, giving it a touch of luxury automobile. His Slipstream has his own 3D printed hood ornament and even a leveled chrome box. We caught up with him to get a glimpse of the inspiration and the process.

How did you get into this style of design?

I have always been intrigued and drawn 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 to take a deeper interest in design, directing my studies in this direction. As a creative, I always try to breathe new life into things that I love or would like to see done. I like to create my projects, and I like the idea of ​​entertaining 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 what I enjoy doing the most.

How did you develop the idea of ​​the ‘re-do’ of Slipstream?

When I was contacted for this project, I was eager to get to work creating something different for PUMA. I think the Slipstreams have a simple and contemporary silhouette, and that makes it possible for people to wear them with what they like the most since they adapt to different occasions of use. Today’s fashion and sneaker world is all about who gets the rarest and most limited piece, almost like making an investment. As you know, some sneakers are worth more than a car (an expensive car). And that’s when looking at the PUMA logo, I thought of making it a hood ornament.

What was your approach?

I started with a 3D scan of the shoe to have a base to work from. I drew the plate on the tip then obviously the PUMA logo in three dimensions. Everything was then printed in resin with a 3D printer. Even PUMA’s shaped lace locks were created with the same procedure. All elements were then painted with mirror chrome paint. I also worked directly on the shoes with black leather paint, new laces and some metallic details to enhance the design. The shoebox has also been customized with a chrome logo because I’m crazy about that kind of detail.

All Amin is another fashionable designer who pierces the idea of ​​what sustainable products should look like. The Kurdish artist and founder of clothing brand HARAM has specialized in upcycling sneakers since 2019. Her aesthetic falls somewhere between a cheerful hardcore rave in a safer part of the Mad Max universe and whether Vivian Westwood grew up with the 90s Rnb dressing room. TLC instead of the Sex Pistols. Amin’s reimagining of the Slipstream takes the sneaker from the court to the mall in a bag interpretation reminiscent of the best accessories Clueless has to offer. Read below for insight into Amin’s process and creativity.

Where did you get the idea to flip the sneaker this way?

I was delighted to challenge myself in this project. My goal was to create a completely new sneaker purse prototype. My inspiration came from the wake itself. Especially when working with sneakers that have their own lines, I just follow the shape and edges and trust the cutting process itself. This is where most of my creations come from.

What motivates your artistic approach?

I hope for a better future, to be honest. I noticed how differently people perceived upcycling after seeing my range of designs. It was then that I realized the potential of upcycling in the great sustainability debate, especially for younger generations. If we can get the next generation excited that sustainable fashion can look sick and worth consuming instead of new fashion, we hope there will be greater change in the long run.

Where do you want to take your art in the future?

I’m definitely trying to push my art a lot more into the upcycling agenda because it’s still considered a niche practice. So I think the boundaries of the fashion industry need to be pushed even further and through recycled fashion we can raise awareness for a more sustainable future.

You can buy the PUMA Slipstream here.