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MADE IN: YUGOSLAVIA
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PUMA Suede ‘Made in Yugoslavia’
As the Puma Suede celebrates its 45th Anniversary this year, we’ve seen some special releases to mark the occasion. Long over the years there have been numerous editions, retro’s and re-makes; but they all originate from 1968 model that came out of Puma’s Yugoslavian factory. What we have there is one of those very early examples and the Holy Grail amongst true Puma connoisseurs.
There are numerous reason why ‘Made in Yugoslavia’ Puma Suede’s are now so sought after, but at the time they were released it would’ve been impossible to have known the lengths collectors would go to own a pair. So to have a pair such as these in such good condition is a rare sight. Unlike different shoes from other brands of a similar these are still fully wearable and will remain so for years to come, which goes to highlight the quality of their materials and manufacture.
During the time of the 1970’s that Puma were producing Suede’s, they had slight differences that only those with a discerning eye will notice. These feature ‘Made in Yugoslavia’ printed on the inner-sole and a tongue label with just the Puma logo. Other articles featured a plain inner-sole, with ‘Made in Yugoslavia’ underneath the logo as part of the tongue label. They also have their size perforated in to the tongue, a stitched told unit and the jumping cat of the rear heel has its eye.
The Red/Black colourway is one that’s done well for Puma over the years. Recently they were replicated as part of the ‘Takumi’ Made in Japan Suede’s. As well as the colourway they also copied the slim form and short toe-box section of the Yugo’s. A favourite detail of them which you don’t see with Suede’s produced after this period is their flat and chunky sole.
A shoe that at its inception was revered for its style as well as form, it transcended numerous sub-divisions of cultures, societies and doesn’t seem to be letting up 45 years later. It was this original shoe which the now infamous Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier adapted for his own signature shoe which has gone on to be just as famous.
Photography: errol
Text: Professor B
