Last night, the Castle of Good Hope was transformed into something out of a sci-fi fever dream. We were there when PUMA’s cult-status sneaker, the Mostro, made its dramatic return to Cape Town through an immersive experience that felt more like performance art than a product launch.
Originally released in 1999, the Mostro is bold by design. With a look that blends 1960s sprint spikes and 1980s surf shoes, it carved out its place in sneaker history and on the feet of icons like Madonna, Rihanna, and ASAP Rocky (whose 3D printed Mostro was on display btw). Now, it’s back. It is here. And it’s weirder, wilder, and more fashionable than ever.
The event, dubbed the Mostro Lab, was invite-only and unapologetically experimental. From the moment we walked in, it felt like we’d been swallowed whole by something alive. Curved walls, dim lighting, smoke, mirrors, and experimental sounds set the scene. It was like stepping into the Mostro’s mind.
Cape Town artist Inka Kendzia created one of the standout installations, called the Room of Refraction. There were shoes hanging from the ceiling, shrink-wrapped in plastic with embedded cameras tracking our movements. Live footage was projected back onto warped surfaces, turning us into part of the creature’s dreamlike psyche. We weren’t just watching the art. We were in it.
Other rooms offered interactive moments too. In the Room of Reflection, brave guests got actual tooth gems applied in a futuristic dental lab set-up. Tattoo artists from Palm Black Studio were also on-site, offering flash ink. There was a sneaker customisation station for anyone wanting to give their Mostros a personal twist with lace swaps, studs, gems, the works.
And yes, we ate the food, which was designed by Studio H to match the theme. Black bao buns with sticky soy lion’s mane mushrooms, sourdough cracker stacks with neon hummus, and desserts that looked like they were made in a space lab.
Outside, the Castle’s old stone fountain became a photo set with fog, reflective mirrors, and Mostro tentacles rising from the mist. It was eerie and beautiful, exactly befitting the vibe.
On display were Mostro designs from the archive, including a gold boot from 2005, and newer versions like the OG, Camo, Mesh, and even ASAP Rocky’s 3D-printed pair. The brand also previewed upcoming collabs and drops.
Before the main event, PUMA hosted a Seeding Lounge at Milck Studio in Woodstock, where a lucky few got an early look at the range and even got to select and take home their favourite pair.
According to PUMA South Africa’s marketing director Brett Bellinger, the Mostro is aimed at trendsetters and risk-takers. “It’s for people who keep evolving and aren’t afraid to stand out,” he said.
Mission accomplished. The Mostro Lab was a theatrical deep dive into fashion’s strange, futuristic side and also a sneaker launch. If you weren’t there, you missed out. But judging by last night, this monster is far from done making noise.
* Stay tuned to Between 10and5 for the latest fashion news and sneaker drop info.
