Sophia Chang and PUMA unveil latest Collaboration
Ten years later, PUMA and Sophia Chang return with a new collaboration fit for any style.
Multi-hyphenate creative, illustrator, and storyteller, Sophia Chang looks to women’s basketball as the inspiration for her new collection of footwear and apparel. Guided by principles of inclusivity, diversity, and female allyship, Chang’s approach is heavily inspired by her community. Elevated through Chang’s lens, classic court silhouettes come with collegiate detailing, custom graphics, and pastel tones. Continuing the basketball motif, the Suede and Palermo sneakers round out the timeless range. As an illustrator, Chang infuses the collaboration with her own hand-drawn visuals, which appear throughout the capsule. The Basketball Jersey and Knitted Bucket Hat come with a playful dribbling graphic, while a montage of illustrations appears on the Wide Leg Pants as well as the Cross Body Bag. The collection is highlighted by the Reversible Bomber which features letterman-inspired details and a special liner that is adorned with more of Chang’s signature illustrations.
Rendered in a pastel “Zen Blue” shade, the collection’s Suede continues Chang’s hand-drawn aesthetic across the shoe’s upper and tongue, while the “Grape Mist” Palermo features illustrations inset into the PUMA Formstrip.
We catch up with Sophia on her collaboration with PUMA, her career advice and what’s to come for the rising star. Read our exclusive interview below.
PUMA x Sophia Chang is available starting March 23, 2024, from PUMA.com, PUMA flagship stores, and selected PUMA retailers.
FEATURED INTERVIEW:
Can you tell us about this collaboration with PUMA?
I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work on another global collection with PUMA. The first time we collaborated was in 2013, and it was one of their top-performing grossing collections in the lifestyle category at the time. We’re back to present something for the future HER. This collection is TKTK.
How did you find the right illustrations to capture the essence of this collection?
My illustration work for this collection comprises various visual elements, icons, and typographic phrases that add a playful voice to basketball culture. The illustrative pattern is meant to be warm, welcoming, playful, and engaging for all cultures across the globe. This collection is dedicated to the generation of girls dictating their journey into womanhood. She can dress it up or down, on and off the court. As women in sports are breaking boundaries and setting records, this collection represents the passion, energy, and change we are looking forward to now. The future is undoubtedly bright!
When working on the color palette, where did you pull inspiration from?
I worked with the PUMA design team to align the color palette that matched their creative vision with mine. The palette also echoed elements of our previous 2013 collaboration as well. Always bear in mind all the ways “she” wants to show up on or off the court; she can dress it up or down. The collection has pieces to support her looks and empower how she wants to present herself to the world.
You have a long history with Puma; how does this collection differ from your first collection in 2014?
Our first collection included men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and footwear. Based on PUMA’s vision, we’ve trimmed this collection a bit. Perhaps the public will demand more. Our previous collection was honoring the borough of Brooklyn, New York. There were graphic elements that were recognizable by locals and the global community for anyone who watched this borough make headlines in the mainstream beyond just music and sports. It was an honor to visually share that story across various canvases, from apparel and footwear to accessories. The collection has been celebrated in multiple sneaker-focused books and exhibitions worldwide since. I’ve since met many people (a decade later) still rockin’ pieces from this collection! It’s the biggest compliment I can receive!
Being Taiwanese American, how are you infusing your cultural heritage into your illustrations and works?
Before the launch of this collection, I had the pleasure of working on a PUMA China-exclusive sneaker capsule inspired by my journey as an Asian-American. Much of the illustrations and colorways had a nod to the culture. As an Asian American, our journey can be polarizing as I grew up in an immigrant household with traditional Asian values while growing up in the school system, in the streets, and engaging with my American community. We start to pick, choose, weave our identity, and let go of certain values/traditions that may not serve us while also holding on to the ones that do. I’m excited to continue to learn more about my culture daily and share it with others. As someone born and raised in Queens, New York, one of the most diverse boroughs, it’s a huge honor to grow up alongside immigrants from all backgrounds where we can share food, spiritual beliefs, dance, and language. I am so grateful to have had that as my foundation as a young person growing up in America.
What has been the most enjoyable part of making this collaboration?
Working on collaborations with global brands such as PUMA is always exciting as we ideate on ways to merge our worlds: my illustration style, personal brand, and PUMA’s vision. Together, we can create select pieces and develop a story that hopefully inspires and can be a piece people want to keep in their wardrobe for a long time.
How do you see fashion and art collide, and what do you want to see more of in future fashion?
Fashion is art, and dare I say, is art fashion? I am a creative person who believes inspiration is all around us. As an illustrator I can be inspired by a chair, a film, a jacket. What we humans want more than anything is community and connection. The emotions we FEEL from wearing something or watching something embody art. Its expression from within or expression to be shared. I’d love to see more innovation and sustainability within fashion. We’re seeing a lot of exciting innovations, but I’m hoping that will only snowball. We live in a very capitalistic and materialistic country and consume so much. I’d love to see how the creative community in fashion and beyond can create a shift within the sustainability space.
When people think of sports, they see a male-dominated industry. How are you breaking that narrative and giving us girls something to feel powerful wearing?
Although I may not be a performance athlete, I deeply respect the women who dedicate their lives to being the best versions of themselves on and off the court, track, field, or whatever they want. If I can support their messaging through my artwork, that’s a win. I am here to partner with all platforms that want to amplify women’s sports because we are all worth it.
What is one thing your mom has taught you that you still live by today?
My mom speaks broken English, but whenever I wanted something materialistic, she would tell me, “No money, no talk,” which to me means, “If you can’t afford it, don’t even bother talking about it.” That inspires me to focus hard on my goals. If I want something, I need to work for it and earn it; anything can be mine.
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
KEEP GOING GIRL!
You are a superwoman, a mom, a wife, and a designer. How do you juggle your busy life, and what Puma shoes are you wearing for each role?
Every day is a juggle! Every hour can be a juggle. Some days are about survival, some days I thrive. I’m still learning how to give myself grace, continue to strike that balance every day, and be OK when things are not balanced. I’m wearing my own PUMA’s, of course.
What advice would you give a young girl reading this wanting to follow her dream as a designer or illustrator?
Acquire and endlessly grow your skills. When you have skills, you can eat forever.
What is up next for you?
As I’ve been catapulted into new motherhood and finding my footing. I’m looking forward to how my career and projects will evolve. I’m hungry to get into the kids space and bring my creative skills and experience into the kids product space! There’s a lot of opportunity here and looking forward to extending my brand into this realm.
CREDITS:
Editor-in-chief: Prince Chenoa @princechenoastudio
Galore Features Editor: Perrin Johnson @Editsbyperry
Photography : Savanna Ruedy @savannarruedy
Hair: Gregg Lennon @gregglennonjr
Makeup: Brooke Hill @cherishbrookehill
Wardrobe Stylist: Branden Ruiz @branden.ruiz
