How else to introduce a sneaker coined Puma’s Mirage R Dassler Legacy, than right back at the birth of Big Cat brand when one of, if not THE, biggest feuds in sportwear history ensued? After Rudolf and his brother split from co-owned Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik, each took sovereign over independent projects, carving a border through the town of Herzogenaurach.
Founded in 1948, Puma redefined the principles of the sportwear industry, creating a new chapter in sports marketing. While a normality in modern day, the ‘bribing’ of athletes into wearing product was unconstitutional… and is exactly what Puma perused in their strive for speed! In 1958, Brazil won the football World Cup wearing Puma - the likes of Pele donning their boots.
Originally designed for stability, the Formstrip (or Formstreifen) came to fruition the same year, a trademark ever since. Running from heel to sole and quickly becoming a Puma staple, the Formstrip is found on today’s pair and almost all cherished pairs from their extensive archive.
Fast forward to current day, with hundreds of athletes in numerous disciplines under their belt, Puma have carried R. Dassler’s heritage to the fullest, releasing the Legacy Pack in mid-2020. One of many models which dropped in his honour, the Mirage serves as a spearhead for this celebratory pack. Each pair sports a similar tonal upper, incorporating a flash of colour and glimmering gold accents.
Hanging from the eyelet, depicting the OG Puma (Dassler) logo, a trinket is found on centre stage in yet another nod to Dassler’s legacy, one which puts a further shine on his big cat’s German roots.