Closer Look: The 1-of-307 PUMA Suede VTG MII 'Made in Italy'
With its origins on the track, the owes a lot to the exploits of legendary sprinter Tommie Smith. Now over 50 years old, the storied silhouette remains one of the jewels in the Big Cat’s crown, and a very special pair has been created to celebrate the legacy that Smith and the Suede forged together.
Limited to just 307 pairs worldwide – paying homage to Smith’s Olympic start number – the PUMA Suede VTG MII ‘Made in Italy’ arrives in ultra-premium Italian leather, made to last a lifetime. Decked out in the OG black and white colourway, the exclusive sneaker features gold printed insoles and an individually numbered heel tab, and comes housed in deluxe ‘307’ gold-laced packaging. Each pair is accompanied with a special certificate of authenticity personally signed by Smith.
Wearing a pair of Suedes, Smith became the first person to run the 200-metre sprint in under 20 seconds, setting the mark at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City. Prior to the feat, suede was considered a luxury material for sneakers. However, Smith’s exploits on the track quickly thrusted the material and the silhouette into the mainstream. The rest, as they say, is history.
Not available to the public, the PUMA Suede VTG MII 'Made in Italy' has only been given to a select few, including Sneaker Freaker head honcho Woody.