A Bold But Not So Bald Puma Avanti

Whilst we're awaiting her next album - which may or may not come - we can still take a moment to appreciate the craftmanship Rihanna has dedicated in her partnership with Puma.

Towards the end of 2023, we saw the Barbadian artist and businesswoman revitalise the Puma Avanti silhouette introducing black, dark myrtle, club navy and aged silver tones. It's been five months and they're back again, this time with a twist.

Image via Puma

The Fenty x Puma Avanti Pony Hair sneakers.

Now, this isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but the upper is coated in luxurious calf hair with two colourways - warm white and alpine snow, the latter favouring hints of brown patches. The creative influence of the fashionista is evident in the design, with materials and colours bearing a distinctly fashionable touch. Embroidered Fenty branding graces the fold-over tongue, complemented by a rubber gum outsole and an EVA midsole for extra comfort.

The rich history of the Avanti model (est. 2001), traces back to the 1970s. It emerged as a fusion of the King football boot and the Easy Rider running shoe. Details like the shape and fold-over tongue draw inspiration from the football boot, while the gum outsole is influenced by the running shoe.

Image via Puma

Rihanna was adamant about "bringing something iconic from the archives to the street" emphasizing that "the late great Pelé made the Avanti shoe so iconic" and that's exactly what she did. The exploration of bold designs is likely to continue, as I'm sure Puma strives to maintain its status as a "fashion-forward label".