Closer Look at the Upcoming JiyongKim x PUMA CELL GEO 1
Here’s an in-hand look at the collaborative sneaker that infuses PUMA’s bold silhouette with the Korean designer’s signature sun-bleached aesthetic.
Summary
PUMA and JiyongKim have officially revealed the CELL GEO 1, marking the second chapter of their creative partnership
The sneaker made its public debut inside a large-scale artistic installation at Pitti Uomo 110 in Florence
Centered around the theme "A Reflection on Time," the design leverages texturized fading and discoloration to reframe weathering as a story rather than a flaw
PUMA and South Korean designer JiyongKim have officially announced the sophomore chapter of their creative partnership, unveiling the CELL GEO 1. First showcased at Pitti Uomo 110 in Florence as a centerpiece of Kim’s debut European solo exhibition, the sneaker returned at the brand’s showroom during this season’s Paris Fashion Week. The shoe, inspired by a collection of vintage papers the designer has collected over the years, serves as a poetic investigation into material transformation. It deliberately shifts the contemporary fashion spotlight away from pristine, hyper-sanitized perfection to explore the rich visual language of natural aging.
The conceptual foundation of the CELL GEO 1 rests entirely upon JiyongKim’s signature design methodology. Globally recognized for his rigorous “Sun-Bleached” textile experiments, Kim continuously challenges standard mass-production mindsets by finding beauty in natural decay. Instead of viewing discoloration, uneven textures, and faded surfaces as defects, the project treats these physical developments as an archive of history. The sneaker mimics the natural, unpredictable markings that accumulate on paper or canvas left exposed to the outdoor elements over extended periods, turning transient wear into permanent artistry.
This slow-fashion philosophy is applied directly across one of PUMA’s boldest, performance-rooted silhouettes. The resulting sneaker layers raw, weathered textures and complex tonal shifts across the paneled upper, seamlessly marrying technical sportswear architecture with organic decay. The artistic narrative extends to the sneaker’s custom packaging, which sports the same sun-altered visual codes to ensure the entire unboxing experience reflects the project’s meditative focus.
