The Goat — Featuring Saucony x Balamii
First up, we’ve got Saucony’s revival of the Trainer 80 — this one’s a bit more interesting than your standard heritage release. They’ve tapped South London radio station Balamii (a proper cultural cornerstone that’s been nurturing underground talent since 2014) and running collective Your Friendly Runners for the campaign. It’s two communities that wouldn’t typically cross paths but somehow make perfect sense together. Shot by Joe Howat, the campaign manages to make a sneaker from ’78 (one that changed the game with its EVA foam, by the way) feel relevant again. The 80 is landing in a few different colourways, and while we’re usually skeptical of brands banging on about ‘community’, this one feels like it actually gets it. Shop here.
More sneaker news! Listen, we know ECCO might not be the first name you think of for sneaker news, but their latest drop is one that’s actually worth talking about. They’re marking 20 years of their BIOM® technology (yes, that’s how long they’ve been studying how we move) with two new silhouettes for SS25. The BIOM® C-TRAIL and BIOM® 2.2 GTX are heavy on the science — think proper joint support and cushioning that works with your natural stride. And while we’re not saying these will have the hypebeasts queuing up, sometimes function over clout is exactly what you need. Ready to do the whole “new year, new me” thing properly? Grab yourself a pair here.
Dior’s doing something a bit different with their Toujours bag and it’s safe to say we’re interested. Maria Grazia Chiuri has taken the classic shape and turned it on its head (quite literally) with this new vertical version. It’s still got all those Dior signatures (the macrocannage quilting, those little charms that Mr. Dior was obsessed with), but there’s this clever new clasp situation with the CD logo that makes it feel fresh. It comes in five colourways, including this rather nice powder beige number, and it’s available in two sizes — for those wanting to invest, but looking for something a little different to the typical saddle shape.
Okay, one more little trainer-related drop. It’s time to talk about Rihanna’s latest PUMA link-up. She’s taken on the Avanti this time, slimming it down and giving it a royal blue suede makeover that’s got us thinking about classic football boots. There’s some nice little touches in there — gold accents, a cream Formstrip, and these small gum studs on the heel that nod to old school turf shoes. They landed online yesterday, though RiRi’s already been spotted in them out on the streets of New York City, so you know the deal — they won’t stick around for long.
Francis Kurkdjian’s getting a bit mystical with Dior’s latest fragrance drop, and we’re not mad at it. Bois Talisman plays on both his and Christian Dior’s superstitions — apparently our man Francis keeps sugar cubes in his jacket pockets during important meetings, while Dior had a thing for touching wood. The result? An interesting blend of cedarwood and vanilla that’s somehow made these two fairly common notes feel fresh again. Also, the bottle is beautiful, looking a bit like something you’d get at a fancy patisserie… Bois Talisman is in stores and online now if you fancy smelling like the inside of Dior’s atelier. Who wouldn’t?
Last but not least, we’ve got to give a little shoutout to Fugazi and their recent collab with Dover Street Market. Okay, everything’s already sold out and it might take a trawl through StockX to get your hands on something, but there’s a good reason why this is one to talk about. Fugazi® (and yes, that registered trademark is very much part of the joke) has been taking the piss out of streetwear culture since day one, and now they’ve brought their satire to Haymarket with a full head-to-toe capsule. Everything’s been kept monochrome and premium -— think western-inspired flannel shirts and ponyhair loafers, all seen on the man fronting the campaign, none other than Niko B. No surprise with that one, is there? Takes one (pisstaker) to know one.
