On December 5, 2024, Autry and American artist Rob Pruitt unveiled their highly anticipated sneaker collaboration at a gas station transformed into a futuristic chrome-covered installation, aptly named the “Autry Art Station.” The event celebrated the launch of the limited-edition Rob Pruitt x Autry sneakers, a creative fusion of sneaker culture and art collecting that poses the age-old question: to wear or to collect?

“There is nothing more beautiful and excellent than the classic Autry sneaker, which floods me with the impulse to chrome it, to put it on a pedestal, to celebrate its nostalgia and envision it moving into the future. The ephemeral reflective effect of the mirror finished leather turns every expectation around.” Pruitt shared in a press release.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1964, Pruitt has been a prominent figure in the art world since the early 1990s, known for his playful yet provocative exploration of Americana and pop surrealism. Through this collaboration with Autry — a brand renowned for its heritage tennis sneakers that fell out of the spotlight in the ’90s — Pruitt contributes to its modern revival, blending its nostalgic roots with contemporary design.

The sneakers are crafted with a mirror-finish chrome leather exterior, puffy silver laces, and Rob Pruitt’s signature prominently displayed on the side and outsole. This design pays homage to Pruitt’s celebrated “chromed project” sculptures while celebrating nostalgia and envisioning a futuristic aesthetic. Presented as collectibles, each pair is packaged in a sleek plexiglass box reminiscent of art case displays, complete with transparent dust bags and Pruitt’s iconic smiley-face motif.

With just 2,500 pairs worldwide, the Rob Pruitt x Autry sneakers can be admired as art or worn as a bold statement, embodying the intersection of nostalgia, artistry, and innovation.

The collaboration is available exclusively online at autry-usa.com for $380 USD.