Saucony x Universal Works.

Saucony x Universal Works.

  

 

We are pleased to announce a second collaborative project with Saucony Originals, available for AW23. As with our inaugural collaboration, our next venture is part of the ‘Future Friendship Project’, an initiative that brings together brands and companies that share a similar ethos of Peace, Love and Soul.

This time around we’re introducing Saucony’s new Jazz NXT in two monochromatic, earthy shades of cream and brown, constructed from a rich, textural, hairy suede. For each style, a tonal rubber sole has been used to create a sense of punchy uniformity. The details are subtle and considered; playful stitched touches enhance Saucony's iconic logo, a Universal Works label graces the tongue, and a hand-stitched UW motif winks from the shoe's toe cap. 

 

 

“The Jazz NXT is designed for the next generation of Saucony enthusiasts, making it the perfect silhouette for a collaboration” said Rob Griffiths, Saucony Brand President. “This year is a special one for us, a chance to reflect on the achievements of the past 125 years and to celebrate our relentless dedication to innovation, culture and authenticity. Like us, Universal Works is dedicated to creating something authentic that enables individuals to live and feel better, and we wanted to embody this when we joined forces to create this sneaker. You can see Saucony’s heritage and innovation throughout, met with Universal Work’s contemporary aesthetic, to create a truly modern classic.”  

The spark for the project was ignited by Saucony's rich athletic heritage and technical prowess in running shoes. Universal Works co-founder David Keyte, fondly recalls his introduction to Saucony: "I stumbled upon Saucony during a business trip to the States and it didn't take me long to realise that Saucony makes real running shoes, the kind that real runners want to wear. We’ve all seen the running shoe transform from a purely functional item into a modern classic, and Saucony's Originals line has played a pivotal role in this evolution. As a person who regularly wears sport shoes in my day-to-day life, it's a true pleasure to celebrate this journey with the very brand that made my original marathon shoes."


 

 

“Route to the Future,” a short animated film made to celebrate the project, nods to the transition of running footwear into a staple of the contemporary wardrobe, using technology to visualise the next chapter in the story. The result is a collision of Saucony’s relentless innovation and a heady dose of retro nostalgia — a digital journey to the future via a pixelated tapestry of montaged urban landscapes.


 

 


 

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