Iconic PUMA Mostro sneaker, a spiky marvel from the late 90s, roared back onto the scene at New York Fashion Week with a show as electrifying as the shoe itself. Dubbed “Welcome to the Amazing Mostro Show,” the event transformed the Park Avenue Armory into a fantastical amusement park, complete with a swinging ride showcasing the shoes and a pulsating rave soundtrack.
The PUMA Mostro, aptly named after the Italian word for “monster,” was a star player in the early 2000s with its instantly recognizable spiked outsoles and Velcro-strapped uppers. Now, capitalizing on the ever-growing 90s nostalgia, PUMA is bringing it back for a new generation.
“After all the chunky sneakers and outdoor trends, it was clear the low profile was going to come back massively,” declared PUMA’s creative director, Heiko Desens. “We were waiting patiently, and now it’s time.“
The show, styled by none other than i-D magazine’s editor-in-chief Alastair McKimm, featured 56 head-turning looks. They were a mix of bespoke and commercial pieces from PUMA’s upcoming fall 2024 collection, all designed to complement the Mostro’s bold personality.
Think oversized track pants paired with form-fitting tops, avant-garde bodysuits tucked into equally spacious trousers, and hooded windbreakers adding a touch of edge. The color palette was predominantly neutral, with black, white, grey, and navy forming the base, punctuated by pops of metallic silver, neon yellow, and lavender.
But the real stars of the show were the PUMA Mostro themselves. Several show-exclusive iterations walked the runway, like a knit over-the-knee version and 3D-printed low-cut shoes. PUMA even showcased 3D shin guards and gloves, hinting at the endless possibilities of this innovative technology.
“We’re experimenting and reengineering the Mostro in 3D,” Desens explained. “This is something we need to test. What would it look like if you started from zero?“
And the apparel? It was designed to be the perfect canvas for the Mostro’s audacious spirit. Oversized tracksuits with massive pants and shrunken jackets played with proportions, while baseball caps sported tiny brims and dad hats went XXL. “Nothing is regular,” Desens stated. “Everything is either really oversized or very shrunken. Those are the looks that work best with the Mostro.“
So, who is the Mostro wearer of today? Desens sees similarities to the shoe’s original audience: “They’re looking for something elevated, something different from the traditional sneakers that dominated the last decade,” he says. “They’re tired of conforming and want to express their individuality.“
The PUMA Mostro’s comeback began in late 2023 with a collaboration with Berlin-based fashion brand Ottolinger. Now, with light gray and bright yellow hues already released and an “Ectasy Pack” featuring bold colors coming soon, the excitement is just beginning. Camouflage drops, mono mesh iterations, and exciting collaborations are all on the horizon for this revived icon.
As PUMA‘s chief product officer, Maria Valdes, says, “The Mostro has received a lot of positive attention and intention to collaborate. We will keep it tight this year, and when it’s the right time, we will expand.“
© Dan & Corina Lecca – PUMA