Craftsmanship, Community, and Authenticity: Saucony Senior Lead Designer, Josh Fraser Talks Kicks

In this episode of the Sneaker History Podcast, Mike Guillory interviews Josh Fraser, the Senior Lead Designer at Saucony, exploring his extensive background in footwear design, the evolution of design technology, and the importance of storytelling and authenticity in sneaker culture. Josh shares insights into the creative process behind Saucony's unique designs, the significance of material quality, and the impact of collaborations on brand identity. He reflects on the sneaker industry's current landscape and discusses future directions for Saucony, emphasizing the brand's commitment to craftsmanship and community.SUPPORT THE SHOW:Donate Through Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/sneakerhistoryBuy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/nickengvallEarly Access, Exclusive Videos, and Content On Patreon: https://patreon.com/sneakerhistorySubscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@sneakerhistoryJoin our Discord Community: https://discord.gg/xJFyWmWgzaIf you are interested in advertising to our audience, contact us: [email protected]Chapters00:00 Introduction to Josh Fraser and Saucony03:02 Josh's Journey in Footwear Design04:45 The Evolution of Design Technology07:45 Saucony's Brand Identity and Storytelling10:42 Quality and Craftsmanship in Saucony Products13:35 The Impact of Collaborations on Saucony's Success16:32 The Experience of Unboxing Saucony Shoes19:23 Material Sourcing and Sustainability22:32 Innovative Packaging and Marketing Strategies25:25 The Future of Saucony and Market Expansion31:04 The Art of Scrappy Storytelling33:26 Inspiration Behind Design: The Year of the Snake38:45 Creating Unique Footwear: The Omni 9 and Triumph 441:20 Heritage vs. Innovation: The Saucony Approach47:49 Collaboration and Authenticity in Design53:50 The Power of Relationships in Footwear Design59:19 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and InnovationsCHECK OUT OUR OTHER SHOWS:For the Formula 1 Fans - Exhaust Notes: https://exhaustnotes.fmFor the Fitted Hat Fans - Crown and Stitch: https://crownandstitch.comFor the Cars & Sneakers Fans - Cars & Kicks: https://carsxkicks.comFor the Creators & Creatives - Outside The Box: https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/outside-the-box-convos-with-creators/id1050172106[Links contain affiliate links; we may receive a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link. A great way to support the pod!]—––––—––––—––––—––––—––––—––––—––––—––––Our podcast is proudly...Recorded on Riverside: http://www.riverside.fm/?via=sneakerhistoryHosted & Distributed By Captivate: https://bit.ly/3j2muPbGET IN TOUCH:Robbie - [email protected] - [email protected] - [email protected] - [email protected]: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/