PUMA: Why did you pick the PUMA Disc Blaze for your first project with the brand?
Solange: I was first introduced to the PUMA Disc via Instagram, and I didn’t know much about the history involved…just that I really loved the silhouette and thought the Disc was such a cool take on sneakers. I requested them for a magazine shoot, and ended up wearing them on the cover I loved them so much. That really started the initial conversation with the PUMA family, my enthusiasm for the Disc…so it only felt right to get my hands on them first! There’s also so much versatility for what you can do from a design standpoint and I absolutely wanted to approach this project from a maximist perspective.
PUMA: We are seeing more and more ladies trading in their stilettos for sneakers. What are your thoughts about this ‘trend’? Do you think women are also a key player within the sneaker community that brands need to pay attention to?
Solange: I will be the first to admit, sneakers were always mostly used in my lifestyle in an athletic setting. However, once I moved to New York that changed. When you’re walking from spot to spot, hopping in and out of cabs and the train, by mid-day the thing that suffers the most are your feet. Going out at night? Forget about it! So I started to try to structure my outfits around a statement sneaker honestly out of practicality. I think women have really focused on the idea that sexiness and femininity is a state of mind, really projecting confidence throughout the voice of saying when I feel good, I look good. That can be interpreted in so many ways…but certainly a level of comfort can exist. You will never have more fun at the club when you are wearing sneakers really dancing your ass off! I’ve also noticed the gender lines have crossed so much when it comes to sneakers as well. Women are wearing men’s sneakers, and I can’t tell you how many men have asked me if the Discs from my collection will come in larger sizes so they can rock them as well! It’s really about giving people the best expressive and innovative designs possible and I think that has evolved so much in the sneaker community especially with the spirit of collaborations. Sneakers have gotten fun!
PUMA: You’ve been traveling the world a lot this past year because of your music – have you been inspired with the music, fashion and style of the different cities you have visited? If so, which ones were you most inspired by? Will this be translated into your upcoming collections with PUMA?
Solange: Traveling has always been one of my biggest sources of inspiration and is really reflected in my all different forums of my artistry. I’m generally drawn to places that historically make color, and textiles a true focal point of the culture. Traveling within Africa, most recently Ghana and Senegal, I’ve been insanely inspired at the extremely natural and intuitive nature of mixing the highs and lows of athletic staples with modern fashion. Soccer shirts, with beautiful printed skirts, or dresses with sneakers…I mean honestly, from a fashion standpoint Africans just have it and always have. That continent is filled with so much diversity from region to region and will always be my biggest source of inspiration stylistically.
