KARHU Mestari re-texturised making it contemporary and adding to its legacy.

This fall, we look to celebrate our rich history with the release of our iconic silhouette from the 70s, the Mestari.

The Mestari was introduced to the world in the 1970s with the first trademarked Air Cushion midsole unit in a performance shoe. “Mestari” is the Finnish word for champion, a nod back to the early days when KARHU footwear was referred to as mestarin jalkinee, “the shoe of champions”. The Mestari became an instant top seller, and our novel Air Cushion technology would go on to be replicated throughout the industry.

The Mestari through the eyes of Pien Barendregt and Maxime van Namen

This intimate and playful campaign is a direct reflection of the ‘play dates’ that creative makers, Pien and Maxime, spent together visiting fabric stores for inspiration from the broad spectrum of materials, textures, and colours. Pien Studio is a design studio and fashion brand based in Amsterdam that focuses on textile craft products.