Style Residency: Parisa on Why Great Style Is Being Authentic To Yourself

“Go by your own rules,” Parisa begins telling Hypebae. “Just be authentic to yourself and you’ll look great.” This is the philosophy the London-based style content creator lives by when putting together pieces.

For the latest episode of Style Residency, Hypebae enlists Parisa for the new colorway of PUMA's H-Street sneaker.

Nurtured from a young age, Parisa’s craft and instilled confidence to make things her own derive from playing the hand she was dealt. “Growing up, I didn’t have the coolest or latest things,” she says. “So I had to make it cool by piecing things together.” This paved the way for her to express herself in her own, unique ways.

The H-Street is PUMA’s latest sneaker to be revived from its rich low-profile archive. The 2000s icon — an adaptation of the 1998-released, middle-distance runner-approved Harambee running spike — was revered for its lightweight construction and bold design in the new millennium. Keeping many of its performance features, the design featured updates including a rubber mini stud multi-surface sole replacing the spikes, cell mesh upper, and stacked EVA midsole.

Having relaunched the “Fizzy Green” colorway earlier this year — as seen on Hypebae’s Unboxing — PUMA now spotlights its OG “Red/Silver” iteration. “The H-Street sneaker goes best with something simple, because the sneaker’s so bold,” Parisa speaks on styling the shoe. “And [also] something retro because it’s modelled after an archive piece.”

Discussing style, references, and the new H-Street, keep reading to read Parisa’s interview.

Hypebae: How do cultural references feed into the way you dress?

Parisa: I always wanted to be like Mick Jagger or Marc Bolan. I love the androgyny in their style and I think that’s reflected in how I dress. I definitely take a ‘90s approach when it comes to my more street style outfits. I think it’s a constant journey and exploration, dipping into different eras of my life’s cultural references.

How did your love for style and sneakers come to life?

Most of my clothes growing up were second-hand so naturally I found a love for vintage or thrift shopping and that’s stuck with me. I like finding something pre-loved and making it my new treasure. Sneakers were only something I recently came to appreciate, but I’m sure I had a pair of PUMA Speedcats that I wore till they fell apart.

What’s the biggest shift you’ve seen in sneaker culture over the past few seasons?

More diverse aesthetically. There’s been a rise in the last few years in vintage/retro and performance sneakers to reflect yourself authentically. It feels like there’s less of a hype around a specific drop or limited edition sneakers especially with the rise of sustainability.

How do you balance a retro vibe with a modern wardrobe?

Music, for me, has always been a significant reference in my style. I grew up listening to a lot of punk, rock and indie music so I looked up to a lot of the frontmen and women from the ‘70s to ‘90s.

What kind of vibe or outfit does H-Street best complement?

They’re a bold sneaker, so I think less is more always. But they’re also versatile. As they’re modeled off an archive model from the noughties, you can’t go wrong going down a retro route when styling.

Are there any styling "rules" you'd recommend following or breaking with this pair?

I don’t believe in rules. When it comes to styling, wear what’s authentic to your style and taste, and you can’t go wrong. Have fun with them!

Head to PUMA’s website to discover the H-Street in “Red/Silver” as well as its other classic colorways, including “Fizzy Green,” “Frosted Ivory,” “Safe Lake,” and “Black/Silver.”

Read more at Hypebae