Get the Look:
PUMA x STAPLE East West Ivy

PUMA and STAPLE have published yet another chapter of their unfolding fashion story, this one titled the “East West Ivy”. The latest collection provides a means through which Asian American culture is explored under the lens of 1960s collegiate fashion trends. The collaboration combines street with school in a timeless manner that inspired two new looks incorporating key pieces from the launch.

The Shoes

In the 1960s many of the prominent fashion trends were coloured by the preppy collegiate style very much in vogue within US coastal universities – this included looks favoured by early generations of Asian American student communities. Drawing on these cultural influences, the footwear offerings in today’s capsule include some signature sneakers given an academic twist.

Double colourways of both the PUMA Suede and Slipstream are reworked under the expert hands of STAPLE with renewed elements like zig-zag shaped eye stays, debossed gold lettering and STAPLE’s enigmatic yin yang symbol on the tongue, plus classic PUMA cat gold hardware throughout. We went with the deep brown Suedes with their red accent details, and the tonal off-white Slipstreams with pops of emerald green for the two outfits.

The Outfit(s)

The collection effortlessly brings together NYC streetwear roots with Asian-American collegiate silhouettes, translated into varsity-inspired chenille badges and traditional iconography stitched upon premium materials. The two looks of the day are purposely interchangeable and gender neutral, subtly motivated by the yin yang concept and philosophy graphically woven into the collection.

The first outfit leans into the dark side of things, sporting both the varsity jacket and v-neck crewneck sweater from the collection, both of which channel classic Americana in their letter-jacket aesthetic bearing a badge of ‘P’ and ‘S’ for PUMA and STAPLE, respectively. Minimalistic cropped and pleated straight-leg wool trousers finish off the outfit, tailored and neat for that evergreen preppy feel.

The second outfit stays in the light, starting with the accompanying hoodie from the collection in a rich green also emblazoned with specially created graphics and co-branding. On this side we’ve gone for a pair of cropped linen wide-legged pants in a lightweight material and soft beige shade for a loose, flowy and very comfortable take on the collegiate theme. If you were feeling chilly, the highlighted varsity jacket from the collection would also work with this look.

The Accessories

The duo didn’t skimp on accessories, offering a series of additional elements that help complete the capsule. Look number one is cool and composed with a pair of perfectly off-kilter diamond shaped sunglasses in a chic black metal, and a textured shoulder bag large enough to hold the school essentials. A black leather belt with distinct yet subtle gold hardware gently elevates alongside a pair of hourglass shaped velvet and gold-tone clip earrings, the texture matching the depth of the suede in the sneakers below. Pop it all off with a beanie from the line in a red that matches the shoes and shows off STAPLE’s signature yin yang logo once more.

On the flip side comes a leather trimmed cashmere scarf in a cozy cream that complements the trousers, coupled with a chunky interlocking gold chain and glittering emerald studs to play off the shades set by the hoodie. The lecture hall-ready duffle bag from the line emphasizes the collegiate theme, whilst the white cap with gold lettering completes the sportstyle chic vibe.

The PUMA x STAPLE “East West Ivy” collection playfully explores Asian-American culture through the lens of vintage collegiate style. Interweaving elements of NYC sportstyle and classic prep school visions, the result sits somewhere between the front of the class and the back row ─ perfectly balanced and totally present.