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Puma and the trendy bowling chain Lucky Strike unveiled a collaboration of bowling shoes Thursday, at an event that aptly reflected the new marriage between the playful bowling alley and the laid-back sneaker brand. The black leather shoes—with the classic Puma swoosh in silver—fit in among the high-profile event, featuring an impressive coterie of singers, actors, stylists and designers.
Black Cards guitarist Pete Wentz performed at the launch, and Hustle and Flow actress Taryn Manning, currently on a press tour for her new film The Perfect Age of Rock and Roll, which debuts August 5, DJed for party-goers. Manning kept her look casual and cool, donning grey Million Dollar Denim jeans, a green Joie top, and a black and white striped David Szetco Paris sweater, and completed the look with orange Kathy Gene shoes.
I'm not a label whore," Manning said. When asked to sum up her style, Manning did so in three words: "eclectic, vintage and funky." Twirling strands of pink and blue highlights swept up into a messy ponytail, Manning said, "I kind of call myself rainbow bright."
Manning was only one of the many fashionable guests at the celebration of Puma and Lucky Strike's shoe line collaboration. We caught up with Project Runway cast member and Taiwan-born designer Malan Breton, who, just months after he was considered a top contender for designing Kate Middleton's wedding dress, was looking positively British in a red fitted blazer and tailored black slacks. "I think it's genius," Breton said of the featured shoe. "Until I launch my own, they're the most stylish."
And as a dancer-turned-designer, Breton would know. Having clothes and shoes that move with the body are essential, Breton said, so the Lucky Strike x Puma collaboration makes total sense. "My friends and I love to go bowling and drink champagne," said Breton, who is nominated for a Global Fashion Award and will show his fall collection at Lincoln Center on September 13.
Celebrity stylist Keino Benjamin agreed that the new shoes from the "legend brand" were a stylish overthrow of a previously dingy footwear fit for a classic American pastime. "Next Friday night, you want to go out bowling with your girl, I';m wearing Puma," Benjamin said.—Katie Gonzalez
· Lucky Strike Lanes [Official Site]
· Puma [Official Site]