PUMA Basket ‘Python’
ART NUMBER: 355736-02
MADE ON: 2013
MADE IN: JAPAN
FACTORY: FJPST
In 2013 PUMA Japan released the Takumi Python collection for the Chinese Lunar Year of the Snake. The collection encompassed three styles: the Basket, First Round, and Slipstream. Takumi is a Japanese word meaning Artisan and by looking at the shoes you can truly appreciate the artistry that went into creating them. This attention to quality and detail is why PUMA Japan releases are so coveted.
The Python collection was a monochrome black and white release. The First Round and the Basket both feature great patterned leather. The Python skin on the Basket was used on the side panels with a white toe box and Puma stripe. The reverse was seen on the First Round, with high quality leather on the side panels, with the beautifully textured material on the toe-box, tongue, and formstripe.
Puma changed up the Slipstreams a bit. They came in either all-black or all-white colorways. The texture is closer to the skin of a all-one-color snake. Because the pattern is different on the Slipstream, I feel like that style doesn’t fit well with the rest of the collection. They have a very utilitarian feel to them and it is hard to see that the leather looks like snakeskin.
All shoes in the collection come with a ‘Made in Japan’ label inside so you know that they are legit. Unfortunately for many of us, this collection was only released in Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.
Text: Jennifer Gonzalez
