Founded by a former slave in 1923, Atlanta’s David T. Howard School started out as an elementary school before converting into a high school in 1948. In its 50 years of existence, the school has been a game changer by setting a new precedent for education and playing a significant role in the Civil Rights movement. It has also produced a long list of prominent alumni, including basketball and PUMA legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
This year, PUMA will celebrate the school and its role in our nation’s history by releasing two capsule collections featuring footwear and apparel. The tribute continues PUMA’s tradition of honoring notable institutions and individuals. Last year, PUMA recognized Olympic legend Tommie Smith by releasing special iterations of the PUMA Suede and Sky II High. Both shoes were emblazoned with Smith’s silhouette from the 1968 games when he famously stood up for African-American rights as he stood atop the medal winners’ podium.
This year’s tribute will arrive in two parts. The first dropped on Jan. 13 and featured two premium iterations of the iconic PUMA Clyde sneaker: The Clyde Bball and the Clyde Wool. The Clyde Bball’s design emulates that of a basketball—particularly its leather textured upper and standout gold eyelets that give a nod to Clyde’s many basketball trophies. The Clyde Wool’s inspiration is derived from a different source altogether. Its mixture of wool and chenille calls to mind a high school letterman jacket, bearing the David T. Howard school’s colors of blue and gold.
The second part of the collection follows on Feb. 2, with the debut of additional footwear, as well as matching apparel and accessories. The Clyde T7 features a slim-cut jacket and sweats in the school’s blue and gold colors, while assorted tees for both men and women pay homage to the year Clyde himself graduated, and are emblazoned with the campaign’s key question: "What Will Your Legacy Look Like?" As for footwear, the new IGNITE evoKNIT sneaker boasts a blue and gold premium knitted upper and ankle cuff, while the basketball-inspired Sky II Hi features a clean blue leather upper and dual lacing, allowing the wearer to decide how to style it. Rounding out the collection are “his and hers” Clydes, with a preppy white leather upper, blue leather form stripe, and the high school’s emblem displayed prominently on its tongue.
PUMA will continue to work with the David T. Howard School Alumni Association and the Atlanta Public School system to support and fund community growth and engagement in the Atlanta area. As for Walt “Clyde” Frazier himself, he is quite proud of the legacy the school has built, stating: “I’m deeply honored to be an alumnus of the David T. Howard school. The institution fostered the growth of some of our nation’s brightest leaders and I feel this collection captures the essence of that and what the school did for so many.”
As the school’s slogan states, "Blue and Gold will save your soul." So head on over to your local PUMA Lab, powered by Foot Locker, DTLR, Footaction or go to PUMA.com to get in on all the blue and gold goodness.
