As a gamer who’s had the privilege of living through the evolution of streetwear and vintage fashion, I can’t help but feel a profound connection to Brian Procell’s story with Mephisto. It’s not every day that you come across a brand that’s been intertwined with your personal journey for two decades, and the Procell x Mephisto Match is an exquisite testament to their shared history.
Brian Procell vividly remembers the moment he saw Mephisto sneakers for the first time. This happened way before his shop on the Lower East Side, a significant cultural hub that has catered to artists such as Frank Ocean and Rihanna, was established. Moreover, it occurred well before his innovative approach to sourcing, curation, and consulting inspired other vintage dealers to label him as “the Godfather.
As a teenager living in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Procell often visited the local malls, captivated by the allure of Polo Ralph Lauren, which ignited his interest in fashion. The brand typically had dedicated sections in major stores, and he enjoyed examining not only the clothing but also how they were displayed. Nearby, there were shoes that complemented the brand, either luxurious or aspirational, and it was there where Procell first laid eyes on a pair of Mephisto sneakers.
There’s value in finding a product organically, without it being influenced by marketing or cultural trends. If you feel like you found the product for yourself, then there’s often a strong connection formed – and Mephisto, a French brand not focused on lifestyle consumers, experienced this when he first saw their shoe as an extraordinary discovery, similar to iconic ’90s skate shoes like the Hook-Ups Special Police or the Vans Skate Cab 4.
Approximately twenty years later, Procell – having accumulated numerous pairs of Mephisto sneakers during his regular thrift store adventures – was now operating his namesake shop, contributing to Supreme’s design team, and was well-known among colleagues as “the one who always wore Mephisto.” A chance seating arrangement near the head footwear designer of Supreme, who knew the CEO of Mephisto, eventually connected Procell with the brand. The idea of a collaboration was then discussed.
The journey to the final product was extended and circuitous, with initial prototypes for a joint venture being created towards the close of the 2010s; however, these never made it to production owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, delay doesn’t necessarily mean cancellation in a partnership destined over a lifetime, and the Procell x Mephisto Match is slated for release by the end of 2024. Procell, along with his business and life partner Jessica Gonsalves, have a rich history in footwear collaborations; they collaborated with Nike on a muslin-covered Air Force 1 Low in 2019, and Gonsalves designed a pearly GEL-Nimbus 9 for ASICS and Angelo Baque’s “ASICS Collective” initiative. This Mephisto collaboration could very well be their most intimate one yet, with Procell expressing that the brand has been an integral part of his life for more than two decades.
Prior to the launch of the Procell x Mephisto Match, a meticulous vintage connoisseur shared insights about its materials, color scheme, and design elements that make it stand out. “This shoe represents an investment in the quality of your lifestyle,” he explained. “Once you wear it, you’ll come to admire it and cherish it for life.
Colorway
The vibrant green color scheme on these shoes draws inspiration from both timeless and modern styles, reminiscent of Ralph Lauren’s garments that captivated a young Procell, as well as the iconic “British Racing Green” found on luxury cars like Jaguar and Land Rover. While these references provided the foundation for the design, they were adapted to suit contemporary tastes. The goal was to create a shoe that harmonizes with the traditional or preppy style popular in New York City, yet offers a lively twist compared to standard earthy or neutral tones without sacrificing sophistication, thus serving as an ideal complement to an “elevated uniform”.
Materials
Most Mephisto Match models typically feature an upper constructed from a single material like suede or leather. But the Procell x Mephisto Match breaks this norm, blending premium quality of both materials to create a harmonious contrast that aligns with its “elevated uniform” look. The upper part is made of Mephisto’s signature Velsport blend suede, while the accents are handcrafted from luxurious Oregon leather. Each pair is meticulously produced in France and assembled by skilled hands.
Special Details
The essential features of these shoes are highlighted by a pair of symbols that are reminiscent of “IYKYK” (If You Know You Know) culture. One symbol is positioned on the window box of the right shoe, replacing the usual Mephisto branding with a “New York” emblem, which honors Procell’s New York City heritage and recognizes the impact that New York City has on global culture. The right shoe’s window box serves as a tribute to New York City in this way. The left shoe maintains its original branding as a sign of respect and collaboration with Mephisto, and also to celebrate their shared values. The label on both shoes’ tongues continues this celebration, featuring the Procell name above the stylized M logo of Mephisto.
This special collaboration between Procell and Mephisto, known as the Procell x Mephisto Match, will be available in just 100 sets. They will become available on December 12th, only at the Procell store located in New York City (5 Delancey St, 10002). The price for this item is set at $425 USD.
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2024-12-09 17:56