After a busy week on the international stage, with PUMA returning to the runways of the New York Fashion Week, we bring things a bit closer to home. PUMA South Africa partnered, once again, with Riky Rick for the PUMA X Cotton Fest F.C. collection.
The collection was designed in collaboration with the late hit music producer and rap star, Riky Rick. This was to be one of his last projects before his untimely death in February 2022, and his final with PUMA.
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For their latest collection, the look was inspired with a sport aspect as part of the festival’s “University of Cotton Fest.” It features a collegiate theme, as well as draws on PUMA’s roots and DNA. Taking cues from 90s football jerseys, which have become a modern trend, to create revered fashion statements.
The collection also features the mantra, We Never Die, We Multiply. This has been the motto for the Cotton Fest event since it was established in 2019.
Pieces from the collection include the T7 tracksuit top, football shorts, a football top, as well as soccer balls. All of these pieces were designed by Riky Rick.
Hayden Manuel, PUMA South Africa Sportstyle Marketing Manager, had this to say about the latest collaboration:
“We are very privileged to be able to bring what turned out to be Riky’s final collection to the market. As with everything Riky did, he was hands-on with this collection and its Cotton Fest F.C. aesthetic. The arts were close to Riky’s heart and he was a former AFDA student, so we and Riky’s family agreed that supporting the students would be an appropriate way to honour his legacy.”
Inspired by Riky Rick’s passion for the arts, PUMA has committed funds for final-year AFDA students. This includes R100,000 worth of bursaries for these students, in order to cover shortfalls in their fees to assist in their graduation. The collection and campaign featuring Riky Rick was supported by his wife, Bianca, son Maik, daughter Jordan, as well as his brothers Themba, Toby and Sheikani.
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The PUMA X Cotton Fest F.C. collection will be available from 22 September 2022.
It will be available online at PUMA.com. Furthermore, it’ll be available in-store at PUMA stores at Menlyn and Gateway, as well as PUMA Select stores in Braam and Cape Town. Sportscene will also be carrying the range at a few of its stores across South Africa. This includes Canal Walk, Eastgate, Fourways, Gateway, Mall of Africa, Menlyn, Promenade, Rustenberg, Sandton, Vaal Mall, Waterfront and Westville Pavillion.
The collection itself will retail starting at R299 to R1,099.
