McQueen for PUMA

softgrey · 24-09-2005

excerpt from wwd.com

Published: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 next

McQueen Puts Best Foot Forward
By Samantha Conti

LONDON — Alexander McQueen put his heart, his soul — and his own left foot —into his new collection of footwear for Puma. On Monday, the designer, a self-confessed sneaker junkie, revealed the details of his collection, right down to the veins, bones and tendons.
"I was inspired by the look of the foot, the muscles and skeletal structure," said McQueen
"Of course, because it's designed by me, there's also a sick and macabre twist to the designs," he added, with a laugh.
McQueen, who owns 450 pairs of sneakers, said the deal with Puma was not only a natural move, but also a means of building his brand on a more commercial level. The Alexander McQueen Puma line will launch in 200 to 250 stores worldwide in January, including McQueen's flagships in London, New York and Milan.
Prices for the line, which features 15 models, range from 180 euros, or $218 at current exchange, to 240 euros, or $290. The deal is not a license, but rather a long-term partnership.

"It's taught me that my creativity can stay at any level. It's made me a better designer, because I'm covering a whole other part of the market," said McQueen, who was dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, jeans and a pair of one of his new My Left Foot Bound sneakers for Puma.
The model features an imprint of McQueen's left foot inside the sole. The designer cast his own foot in a vacuum mold, and the impression has been suspended in a transparent rubber sole that's visible when the sneaker's turned over.
"Making it nearly killed me. It tore the hairs out of my legs," he admitted with a laugh. The laces of the shoe are woven through leather along the length of the shoe, in a direct reference to McQueen's dress designs.
Other marquee models in the collection include the NY Running Shoe Laser, an elegant model for women featuring delicate, laser-cut latticework on the last. The latticework — and the fine mesh underlay — is meant to mirror the maze of human veins.

The extended toe shape is a McQueen signature and carries over from his shoe collection. "It's inspired by the UFO show, and I wanted it to be modern and elegant, not clumpy. I wanted to do couture cutting for the foot," he said.
The men's Anatomical Low shoes have molded rubber "tendons" that stretch from heel to toe on the sole. There are also vein and skeletal details on the last.

Jonathan Akeroyd, ceo of Alexander McQueen, said the company would initially target top-tier, image-driven wholesale accounts. The line will eventually be distributed more widely. "Lee [McQueen] is keen that this be a commercial product — and a volume line," he said after the conference.

McQueen worked with photographer Nick Knight on the image for the new collection, which is known as ManCat, an eerie photo of a black creature that's half man, half beast. The ManCat tooth, a pointed, cat-like fang with a human root, is the logo for the new brand.

PrinceOfCats · 24-09-2005

One of the most exciting collaborations yet. Thanks for news, softgrey...

Pictures anyone!?

Erin · 24-09-2005

Thanks so much for posting more information on this. I've been waiting rather imptatiently for more informaton on this collection. Can't wait to see a preview.

adorefaith · 24-09-2005

sounds exciting.....
i like the idea of so much thought and creativity going into a sneaker....

thanks soft....

....
i would love to see a picture....!!!...

VICTIM · 24-09-2005

this sounds amaizing!

fashionologie · 24-09-2005

If someone has access to wireimages, there's some pictures there I believe...
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryList...8275&ym=200509

tott · 24-09-2005

This sounds really interesting! And a great way to bring in some money, he's still under pressure from the Gucci group, isn't he?

softgrey · 24-09-2005

he is indeed tott...

last year he and all the rest of the unprofitable brands at gucci were given 3 yrs to 'break even'...(with the exception of YSL which is in a category by itself apparently)
so 2 yrs left...

but he seems to be confident that they are on the right track...

VICTIM · 24-09-2005

argh does this mean that mcqueen s/s 06 is gonna be as bad as f/w 05

softgrey · 24-09-2005

...depends how you define bad VICTIM...
if you mean boring...then ...
yes-probably...

but...
i bet it is extremely profitable...
and that is the 'bottom line' in business...

mb117 · 24-09-2005

what are the price points of the puma collaboration?

PrinceOfCats · 24-09-2005

Isn't $218-$290 in the article?

travolta · 24-09-2005

thanks for the description, soft. can't wait to see actually see the pics. ;P

softgrey · 24-09-2005

mb...
check the original article...
prices are quoted and highlighted...

**i wish someone could post those pics...
i'd like to see them enlarged myself...

tott · 24-09-2005

^ Me too, and I don't even wear sneakers outside the gym...

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24-09-2005	12
PrinceOfCats Naturellement pulpeuse Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The 'other' bit of the south of France Gender: femme Posts: 10,172	Isn't $218-$290 in the article? __________________ -Jamais fille chaste n'a lu de romans

24-09-2005	13
travolta V.I.P. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York City Gender: femme Posts: 3,595	thanks for the description, soft. can't wait to see actually see the pics. ;P __________________ "the way a problem is set up often suggests the resolution." http://michelleboxgirl.blogspot.com/

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24-09-2005	1
softgrey flaunt the imperfection.. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: downtown... Gender: femme Posts: 50,054	McQueen for PUMA excerpt from wwd.com Published: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 next McQueen Puts Best Foot Forward By Samantha Conti LONDON — Alexander McQueen put his heart, his soul — and his own left foot —into his new collection of footwear for Puma. On Monday, the designer, a self-confessed sneaker junkie, revealed the details of his collection, right down to the veins, bones and tendons. "I was inspired by the look of the foot, the muscles and skeletal structure," said McQueen "Of course, because it's designed by me, there's also a sick and macabre twist to the designs," he added, with a laugh. McQueen, who owns 450 pairs of sneakers, said the deal with Puma was not only a natural move, but also a means of building his brand on a more commercial level. The Alexander McQueen Puma line will launch in 200 to 250 stores worldwide in January, including McQueen's flagships in London, New York and Milan. Prices for the line, which features 15 models, range from 180 euros, or $218 at current exchange, to 240 euros, or $290. The deal is not a license, but rather a long-term partnership. "It's taught me that my creativity can stay at any level. It's made me a better designer, because I'm covering a whole other part of the market," said McQueen, who was dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, jeans and a pair of one of his new My Left Foot Bound sneakers for Puma. The model features an imprint of McQueen's left foot inside the sole. The designer cast his own foot in a vacuum mold, and the impression has been suspended in a transparent rubber sole that's visible when the sneaker's turned over. "Making it nearly killed me. It tore the hairs out of my legs," he admitted with a laugh. The laces of the shoe are woven through leather along the length of the shoe, in a direct reference to McQueen's dress designs. Other marquee models in the collection include the NY Running Shoe Laser, an elegant model for women featuring delicate, laser-cut latticework on the last. The latticework — and the fine mesh underlay — is meant to mirror the maze of human veins. The extended toe shape is a McQueen signature and carries over from his shoe collection. "It's inspired by the UFO show, and I wanted it to be modern and elegant, not clumpy. I wanted to do couture cutting for the foot," he said. The men's Anatomical Low shoes have molded rubber "tendons" that stretch from heel to toe on the sole. There are also vein and skeletal details on the last. Jonathan Akeroyd, ceo of Alexander McQueen, said the company would initially target top-tier, image-driven wholesale accounts. The line will eventually be distributed more widely. "Lee [McQueen] is keen that this be a commercial product — and a volume line," he said after the conference. McQueen worked with photographer Nick Knight on the image for the new collection, which is known as ManCat, an eerie photo of a black creature that's half man, half beast. The ManCat tooth, a pointed, cat-like fang with a human root, is the logo for the new brand.

24-09-2005	3
Erin Iowa Girl at Heart Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Los Angeles Gender: femme Posts: 14,572	Thanks so much for posting more information on this. I've been waiting rather imptatiently for more informaton on this collection. Can't wait to see a preview.

24-09-2005	4
adorefaith i'm almost ready.. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: rocky mountains Gender: femme Posts: 14,177	sounds exciting..... i like the idea of so much thought and creativity going into a sneaker.... thanks soft........ i would love to see a picture....!!!...

24-09-2005	5
VICTIM trendsetter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England Gender: homme Posts: 1,147	this sounds amaizing!

24-09-2005	6
fashionologie backstage pass Join Date: May 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 687	If someone has access to wireimages, there's some pictures there I believe... http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryList...8275&ym=200509

24-09-2005	7
tott slightly dizzy Join Date: Aug 2002 Gender: homme Posts: 4,261	This sounds really interesting! And a great way to bring in some money, he's still under pressure from the Gucci group, isn't he?

24-09-2005	11
mb117 trendsetter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, NY Gender: homme Posts: 735	what are the price points of the puma collaboration?