Saucony x Universal Works Jazz NXT

Universal Works is pleased to announce a second joint project with Saucony Originals. As with their first collaboration, their next project is part of the “Future Friendship Project,” an initiative that brings together brands and companies that share a similar ethos of “Peace, Love and Soul.”

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This time, they're introducing Saucony's new Jazz NXT in two monochrome, earthy shades: cream and brown, made from a rich, textured, hairy suede. A color-coordinated rubber sole was used for each model to create a sense of uniformity.

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The details are subtle and sophisticated; playful embroideries accentuate the iconic Saucony logo, a Universal Works label adorns the tongue and a hand-embroidered UW logo has been placed on the toe box.

“The Jazz NXT was designed for the next generation of Saucony enthusiasts, making it the perfect silhouette for collaboration,” said Rob Griffiths, Saucony Brand President.

“This year is a special year for us, a chance to reflect on the achievements of the last 125 years and celebrate our tireless commitment to innovation, culture and authenticity. Just like us, Universal Works is committed to creating something authentic that enables people to live and feel better, and we wanted to embody that when we teamed up to create this sneaker. Saucony's tradition and innovation, paired with the contemporary aesthetic of Universal Works, make this shoe a truly modern classic.”

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The project was inspired by Saucony's sporting tradition and technical running shoe know-how. David Keyte, co-founder of Universal Works, fondly remembers his first encounter with Saucony:

“I came across Saucony during a business trip to the USA and it didn't take long to realize that Saucony makes real running shoes that real runners want to wear. We've all seen the running shoe evolve from a purely functional item to a modern classic, and Saucony's Originals line has played a decisive role in this evolution. As someone who regularly wears sports shoes on a daily basis, it is a real pleasure for me to accompany this journey with the brand that made my first marathon shoes.”

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In this sense, “Route to the Future,” a short animated film made to celebrate the project, alludes to the transition from running shoes to a standard of modern wardrobe and uses technology to visualize the next chapter of the story.

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The result is a clash of Saucony's relentless innovation and an exhilarating dose of retro nostalgia — a digital journey into the future through a pixelated tapestry of mounted cityscapes.

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