Saucony has officially announced its debut collaboration with visionary designer METAGIRL, marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s history. Inspired by the mythology of pearls, born from the Earth’s waters and blessed by the heavens, the project reimagines Saucony’s early-2000s ProGrid Paramount under a new name: “Daughter of the Moon.”
A Collaboration Beyond the Ordinary
The Saucony x METAGIRL ProGrid Paramount is built around a narrative. Pulling from Saucony’s archives and fusing them with METAGIRL’s hyper-feminine lens, the silhouette balances heritage with ethereal design cues. “This partnership represents more than just a collaboration – it signals a new chapter in Saucony’s commitment to elevating women’s voices within sneaker culture,” said Brian Moore, Saucony’s Chief Product Officer.
The Design: Moonlight Meets Innovation
Built on the Triumph 4 sole unit, METAGIRL’s “Daughter of the Moon” introduces details that blur the line between function and fantasy:
- 3D-printed shell heel counter – hand-sculpted by METAGIRL and brought to life with Saucony’s innovation team.
- Perforated silver aluminium leather overlays – shimmering like moonlight on water.
- Soft organza ruffles – delicate accents along the eyestay.
- Pearl studs – symbolising quiet strength and resilience.
- Glowing Saucony logo – bold as a full moon in the night sky.
The result is a striking balance of grace, heritage technology elevated by unapologetic feminine expression.
Who is METAGIRL?
Born Caterina Mongillo in Italy, METAGIRL has quickly emerged as a leading voice in redefining sneaker culture. Known for her viral customisations that feature bows, lace, pearls, and futuristic Y2K-inspired detailing, she’s built a reputation for breaking down the binary of sneaker aesthetics.
Her creative journey began at adidas, where she worked in product marketing, writing briefs and exploring storytelling for designers. Yet the corporate world felt too restrictive. “This world felt tight for me, and I couldn’t express myself anymore to the extent I wanted to,” she told us. That drive to push concepts beyond corporate boundaries led to the birth of METAGIRL in 2023. Today, her designs, often described as “hyper-feminine futurism” are a statement of freedom, creative exploration, and inclusivity.
Femininity Without Compromise
METAGIRL’s ethos is clear: sneakers don’t need to be “shrinked and pinked” to serve women. Instead, her work celebrates femininity as a source of strength and beauty, a universal quality that transcends gender.
“My goal with Metagirl is to cater to the feminine aspect within each of us,” she explains. “Femininity is an integral part of nature, whether you identify as a man, woman, or beyond. Hyper-femininity is my tool to celebrate that archetype.”
By placing bows, pearls, and delicate ruffles on performance sneakers, she challenges the industry to reconsider what power and style look like, reframing sneakers as a canvas for softness as much as for speed.
Why Y2K Still Trends
A strong throughline in METAGIRL’s work is her obsession with Y2K-era sneakers. For her, these designs represent a time of optimism and experimentation, when sneakers were engineered with detail-rich craftsmanship before the age of hype.
“Y2K shoes had presence, whether through chunky skate silhouettes or tech-heavy runners,” she says. “They had character. That makes them fun to reimagine and amplify.”
The ProGrid Paramount, once designed purely as a high-performance runner, takes on an entirely new life in her hands. What was once a tool for athletes now becomes her canvas for storytelling, a vessel that bridges function and imagination. On one level, it serves as an archive revival, pulling a silhouette from Saucony’s rich performance history and reintroducing it to a new generation. On another, it transforms into a fantasy object, stripped from its original context and reimagined as something aspirational, almost otherworldly. In this duality the shoe becomes more than footwear; it becomes a medium for creative expression.
Release Details
The pre-release of the Saucony x METAGIRL “Daughter of the Moon” is set for August 29, 2025, available exclusively through Metagirlstudio.com. This early drop will give fans of METAGIRL’s visionary work the first chance to secure the highly anticipated sneaker. The global launch follows on September 12, 2025, releasing via Saucony.com and a select group of retailers worldwide. Key partners for this drop include Dover Street Market Japan, Kith Women, and Naked Copenhagen, underscoring the international appeal of the collaboration.
Retailing at $220 USD / €250 EUR, the sneaker is positioned as a premium, limited-edition statement piece. The official product code is S61021, making it easily identifiable for collectors. The pair will debut in a striking Moon/Lilac colourway, reflecting its celestial inspiration while blending metallics, soft ruffles, and pearlescent detailing into one cohesive design.
