BLACKPINK's Rosé on Styling PUMA Speedcats and Kickstarting Her Solo Career
We speak to PUMA’s newest brand ambassador about the shoe of the year.
Entering a new phase in your career is an incredibly poignant time for any artist, bringing new challenges and opportunities for self-discovery and experimentation. For BLACKPINK member Rosé, it also signals the start of her solo career, one that sees her moving away from the history-making girl group to spread her wings and go it alone.
It was during that pivotal moment that Rosé felt drawn to the energy of PUMA, something she felt she needed to support her during this next phase in her life. “I’d always wanted to work with a sports brand. It was something I was interested in doing for a while but I didn’t want to rush into working with someone that I didn’t connect with,” the artist tells Hypebae.
Joining forces with PUMA as its newest brand ambassador back in June this year, the duo has evolved their relationship to be one that centers around style, self-discovery and most importantly: support. “I think it’s so exciting that I get to jump into this new chapter with PUMA. I’m happy to support their future growth and it’s so exciting because they’re so supportive of mine as well,” Rosé continues.
As she prepares for the launch of her solo album, we caught up with the K-pop superstar to talk more about her relationship with PUMA, her personal style and plans for the future.
Read on for the full interview.
Tell us a bit about your relationship with PUMA. How did it come about and how has it evolved?
I’d always wanted to work with a sports brand. It was something I was interested in doing for a while but I didn’t want to rush into working with someone that I didn’t connect with. I had a lot of different meetings but when we started talking to PUMA I realized that I could really relate to them. The brand felt so youthful and I felt like I needed that energy at that time in my life because I was preparing for my solo album. I’ve grown up seeing so many of my favorite artists working with PUMA and I’ve always felt like it was a brand that gives off such a good energy.
Love that. You’re working with them to support the new Speedcat silhouette, which has taken inspiration from Formula One and the racing community. How do you feel about sport-inspired fashion? What’s your take on that?
I think it’s really cool. All of the young people out there are incorporating that style more and more and nowadays, we don’t want to be stuck in the status quo. We want to be thinking outside the box and I feel like sportswear in itself is the coolest type of clothing so to be able to incorporate that every day is so much fun.
Definitely. It’s so nice to be in a place where different types of styles can merge. On that note, how would you describe your own personal style?
I make sure to prioritize comfort. Looking like I’m comfortable as well, I think is a very important part, an effortless but edgy look. I like to wear comfy pants a lot on my days off, and so I think that says a lot about my style. I just focus on being comfortable and looking cute, the two Cs!
With that in mind, how do you best like to style the Speedcat silhouette?
I’d pair them with my big baggy jeans, an oversized T-shirt and a leather jacket.
Easy! Our last question for you… what are you most excited about when it comes to working with PUMA?
I think it’s the fact that it’s kickstarted my next album and that solo career path. I feel like I’m getting a lot of energy from the brand and I think it’s so exciting that I get to jump into this new chapter with PUMA. I’m happy to support their future growth and it’s so exciting because they’re so supportive of mine as well. It’s a really cute relationship in that sense.
