Balmain have released what they are calling the first luxury “playable” basketball shoe in connection with Puma. It is currently available on the Balmain site for $1000 and will be released on the Puma US site February 28.
I want you to come to your own opinion, but I can’t see myself paying $1000. I don’t play basketball or dress like I do. But really and truthfully, this shoe doesn’t read luxury to me. It looks like a run of the mill basketball shoe with additional branding. Maybe they would seem different in person. On the other hand, the basketball, done in gold and black, seems to lean more into the codes of Balmain and looks more premium and more valuable than a Spalding would.
I have to admit, I am having a hard time shaking my image of Puma as a lower end athletic wear brand, because I mostly see it on sale in TJ Maxx. Instead of this collaboration elevating the image of Puma, it devalues Balmain, in my opinion. I am also thinking of this in comparison to the On Cloud x Loewe, Adidas x Gucci, Dior x Nike, and so forth. It each of those shoes, the designer brand’s aesthetic was more forward. That element made the shoes fit in line with more from the higher end brand, which made the pricing make sense. The Puma aesthetic takes over here.
I know this is the second collection from their collaboration. I want to see what they have planned for future editions. Maybe there will be a piece that I would be running to add to my wish list.
I would love to see someone do a review of these. If you want to be that person, you can purchase them here.
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