Chu Suwannapha really is one of my favourite humans. I was lucky enough to work alongside him at Fairlady Magazine when I was their beauty ed, and he the fashion director. We had tons of fun and most of the time, could be found outside smoking ciggies and laughing our heads off.
Chu has the most unbelievable sense of style. He is truly unique in the way he sees and interprets fashion and is a real visionary. We all always used to ask the question, “When are you going to start your own fashion label?” To which he would reply, “don’t put me under the pressure!”
Thankfully, Chu started his line menswear line, Chulaap, last year and the collection received rave reviews for it’s innovative use of bold pattern. Is it any wonder then that his nickname has become “The Prince of Prints”?
Chu has now joined forces with international brand Superga to bring you an exclusive and very exciting collection. Chu is the first South African designer to be asked to collaborate with the powerhouse brand, who have previously collaborated with Versace, Rodarte and Liberty of London.
Chu refers to his range for Superga as “AFRO POP”, referencing South African culture and street style. He’s managed to work with prints in a contemporary way, while paying homage to their origin. “The aim of the Superga collection is to celebrate Africa” explains Chu.
The Superga X CHULAAP collection offers three distinct and vibrant shoe designs:
The classic 2750 featuring a colourful Ndebele print
The 2790 monochromatic “AFRO POP” platform sneaker, a style that has proven a great success for the brand in past season returns with a CHULAAP flavour
The 2311 slip-on featuring an African wax origami print that is a nod to Chu’s Thai heritage and signature motif
The three shoe designs have a unique artistic, ethnic quality that will be a definite collector’s item for sneakerheads (like me) and fashion-lovers alike.
“I am a big fan of the Superga brand. Designing your own shoe collection is any designer’s biggest dream and I simply could not pass up an opportunity presented by Superga to collaborate. Their classic blank canvas allowed me the creative freedom to design a CHULAAP flavor Superga collection,” Chu
The Superga X CHULAAP collection will be available at selected Superga Concept Stores starting from R950 – R1500
For further info, checkout www.superga.co.za
