A$AP Rocky rides solely in the fast line, delivering nothing less than world championship-worthy contributions to the zeitgeist. Once again, the multifaceted, motor-sporting musician and Formula 1 Creative Director is hopping back in the designer's driver's seat with PUMA for another captivating collaborative presentation, led by the duo's first-ever footwear offerings: the Mostro 3D and two iterations of the Inhale.
The Mosto 3D, whose name comes from its 3D-printed spiked structure, made its debut at AWGE's Paris runway back in June. The more striking of the two silhouettes, Rocky's statement reimagination of the archival PUMA model sold out quickly after its drop. "I'm stepping out to the office in these bad boys right here," Rocky says to Hypebeast, kicking his Mostro 3Ds onto the desk.
"I'm also going to the store in these. I'm also going to take out the trash in these. I'm also going to the party in these. I'm also going to kick some ass in these. I probably won't go for a jog in these but I'm doing everything else in 'em."
As for the intentionally dirtied Inhale silhouette – which surfaces as the Inhale OG "Sand Dune" and Inhale Distressed "Black/Red" – those steer more into classic streetwear territory, complete with embroidered flames surrounding the Formstrip and a translucent gradient sole.
"I'm wearing the Inhales on the regular. They're for occasions when your whole outfit is just clean. I'm talking crispy clean – your tee is the whitest, tic-tac white. Your jeans are crispy. That's when you put these on. You gotta look like Lil B The Based God with his Vans. That's how you do these shoes justice. Pairing these dirty m*therf*ckers with the cleanest outfit you can find," says Rocky, adding that he channeled his post-moshpit kicks when designing the Inhale.
"That juxtaposition goes together like a match made in heaven."
The dirtied and distressed design structure of the Inhale carries over into the rest of the collection's apparel, with each garment giving fresh-off-the-garage-floor. Tops include the puff-printed, tire-marked tank top and zip-closure racing polo, while bottoms span knee-pad pants and baggy denim shorts; each piece is hit with co-branding from AWGE and PUMA as well.
Accessories stand out amidst the range, consisting of two belts: a crystal-buckled belt inspired by a mechanic's toolbox and an embroidered webbing belt that draws direct inspiration from a retro seatbelt – buckle and all. A padded balaclava rounds it out the release, covered in cobranded graphics and, in true technical form, complete with velcro closure around the mouth.
"The older I got, the less concerned I became with how clean my shoes looked," Rocky adds.
"I wanted to make something that goes against that theory of brand-new, fresh, only poppin' tags type sh*t."
Leave it to Rocky to go from the runway to the racetrack and make it look easy. Explore the full A$AP Rocky x PUMA collection above, and get it before it's gone at PUMA's official webstore.
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