The new range's Diciotto is Gourmet's homage to suede sneaker classicism. It's an absurdly simple design that harks back to the archives of two German footwear dynasties, and kind of looks like the lovechild of Adi and Rudi's finest moments, had the duo made up before their passings. When this model was launched earlier in the year, we spotlighted the similarities to the best Rod Laver design, and we're not talking the Rod Vintage here. Now, shorn of the leather side panels that reinforced those comparisons, and made from a distinctively brushed suede (which, we heard through the grapevine, wasn't an easy find) they're definitely a nod to the mighty States, Suedes and Clydes too. Someone in the office compared the texture and colour of the blues to the Cookie Monster's fur—we think that's a complement.
Speaking to Jon from Gourmet, he's cited PUMA's easily-ruined basketball designs as huge formative influences growing up in Long Island, with their assimilation into hip-hop and skate. This feels like a response to that. Often there's even a sense that this brand understands the essence of what constitutes an icon more than the brands themselves. That old world branding is killer too. Then there'll be those who miss the point and get all Raekwon and start the allegations of biting. There's a thin line between homage and copy, and this is very much the former. We'll take these over the onslaught of newly-vulcanized variations on favourites any day. Alongside the 26, these are just a very good shoe. If the truly weird stuff alienated you, these are an excellent entry into the Gourmet approach.

Comments (2)
dang, these things have some TEXTURE. and anything inspired by the rod laver design can't be bad.
”when? where? and how much? please tell me, these look lovely
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