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PUMA’s iconic classic turns 50
October 16, 2018PUMA’s iconic classic turns 50
October 16, 201850 years ago today, one of PUMA’s most iconic products was born: the Suede. Or at least, the world saw it in the spotlight for the first time.
When Tommie Smith stood on the podium of the 1968 Olympic Games on October 16, he had his PUMA shoes standing by his side, while he raised a fist into the air and made (sports) history.
The shoe next to Tommie Smith was called the PUMA Crack, the only suede shoe in PUMA’s line up. In 1972, the PUMA Crack was replaced by the PUMA Clyde – same material, but named after basketball legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
A few years later, the contract to name the shoe “PUMA Clyde” expired, but the model stayed the same. With only a slightly modified silhouette, PUMA continued to sell the shoe and named it “Suede”.
Obviously, the Suede and its similar-looking predecessors, the Crack and the Clyde, were intended to be universal training shoes for indoor and outdoor sports. But the lifestyle trend had other plans for the Suede, turning it into a timeless classic street shoe.
I think the Suede turned into what it is today, because it was more fashionable than a shoe made out of smooth leather. Back in the day, when teams appeared in public they wore the Suede together with their suits, because it was sporty and fashionable at the same time.
That’s what made the Suede a classic must-have for every generation for the past 50 years. Plus, the shoe can vary a lot in color. Rumor has it, that PUMA Basketball star and fashion icon Walt “Clyde” Frazier wore a different Suede in a different color every game.
Here’s to the next 50 years and Happy Birthday, Suede!
