For most designers, a piece of mold-stained paper would be something to throw away. For JiyongKim, it’s a source of inspiration.

The Korean designer has built his brand around the beauty of natural transformation. Since launching his label, Kim has amassed an archive of vintage garments, found objects and miscellaneous ephemera, often using them as reference points for the sun-bleaching techniques that have become synonymous with his work. Rather than resisting the effects of time, his designs embrace them.

That philosophy extends to his latest collaboration with PUMA. Unveiled during Pitti Uomo 110 and scheduled to release this November, the partnership introduces a new take on the PUMA CELL GEO 1, featuring an all-over print inspired by aged paper. Specifically, sheets that have gradually changed color through exposure to dirt, mold, moisture and decay.

The resulting graphic gives the sneaker (and its accompanying shoe box) a worn-in, organic appearance, as if it has naturally evolved over decades rather than being freshly produced. It’s a fitting continuation of Kim’s ongoing fascination with imperfection and the unexpected visual language created by environmental change.

While details surrounding the collaboration remain limited for now, the first look suggests another thoughtful exploration of the themes that have defined JiyongKim from the beginning: time, transformation and finding beauty in the marks that life leaves behind.