For two popular fashion brands, the month of November marks “Mario time!”
Eight months after Levi’s introduced its Super Mario Bros. collection, Champion Athleticwear and Puma are readying their own culturally woke collaborations with the blockbuster video game to commemorate its 35th anniversary.
Launching Wednesday, Champion Athleticwear’s limited-edition capsule utilizes some of the Japanese box art created for the original Super Mario Bros., as well as a few of the vintage prints, reinventing them through the basics maker’s own creative lens.
The Champion x Super Mario Bros. collection includes a variety of Reverse Weave hoodies, crews, joggers, anoraks and T-shirts for men, women and children. From a monochrome Toad jumping atop Champion’s Cloud Dye Tee to Fire Mario bouncing fireballs across Champion’s Reverse Weave Hoodie, each apparel item taps into nostalgic facets of the popular, generation-defining video game. Plus, for Mario enthusiasts looking to emulate the world-famous plumber, the athleticwear company will offer a “super-limited quantity” of red Super Fleece 3.0 Overalls emblazoned with Champion’s script logo. The collection also references classic characters like Princess Peach and Bowser.
“As a brand that celebrated its centennial anniversary last year, Champion was thrilled to commemorate another iconic brand’s milestone,” David Robertson, director champion global brand marketing, said in a statement. “From the beginning, Super Mario Bros. has represented teamwork by introducing many beloved characters who work together for the greater good. Champion is a brand that celebrates teams, in any shape or form, and we’re excited to welcome the whole Super Mario Bros. crew to ours.”
Assorted pieces are available in the U.S. on Champion.com and at various retail partners, including Finish Line, PacSun, Jimmy Jazz, Tilly’s, Zumiez and Shiekh Shoes, priced between $30 to $150.
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Champion’s Mario capsule arrives a little more than a month after the debut of its limited-edition Champion x Crash Bandicoot Gamer capsule including a hoodie and graphic tee, timed to the release of “Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time” video game.
Puma, meanwhile, unveiled its own collection of Super Mario Bros. footwear and apparel. Inspired by Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, the partnership introduces Mario-themed takes on Puma’s Clyde, Future Rider and RS-Fast silhouettes, as well as a version of J. Cole’s signature basketball shoe, the RS-Dreamer. The apparel collection includes a selection of tees and sweatshirts that match the design inspiration of each shoe.
Super Mario’s first 3D adventure inspired the Future Rider Super Mario 64. The upper design nods to Mario’s recognizable red-and-blue ensemble, his trusty Wing Cap, and the game’s saturated landscape color palette. Additional details include a set of bricks on the midsole, a wing embellishment on the heel and a Super Mario 64 hangtag.
Mario’s adventures in the tropical Isle Delfino supplied the inspiration for the design of the Clyde and RS-Dreamer Super Mario Sunshine, the latter of which is court ready with Puma Hoops technology. Both feature details from the water-filled game, like the F.L.U.D.D., the Shine Sprites—a power source on the mythical isle—and overall color scheme. The Clyde Super Mario Sunshine also includes a Mario hangtag where he is seen holding his F.L.U.D.D., or “Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device.”
The RS-Fast Super Mario Galaxy channels the title that took Mario out of this world and into deep space by adding a galactic print to a mix of black, purple, white and metallic silver. Also making an appearance on the shoe is Mario’s sidekick Luma, a raindrop-shaped star-like creature.
A week after the four Mario shoes drop on Nov. 27, Puma plans to pay homage to Nintendo’s original console with the Future Rider Nintendo Entertainment System. Available in infant, kids and adult sizes, the grey, red and black shoe features a tag on the shoe’s tongue with the cover of the first-ever Super Mario Bros. game, as well as Power and Reset button embellishments and a hangtag shaped like the Classic NES Controller. The shoe will launch globally Dec. 4.
All styles will be available on Puma’s digital channel and in select retailers worldwide, while the Clyde and RS-Dreamer Super Mario Sunshine will be available exclusively at U.S. Foot Locker stores and online.