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

By Nick Engvall·August 4, 2025·2 min read

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.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Josh Fraser and Saucony

03:02 Josh’s Journey in Footwear Design

04:45 The Evolution of Design Technology

07:45 Saucony’s Brand Identity and Storytelling

10:42 Quality and Craftsmanship in Saucony Products

13:35 The Impact of Collaborations on Saucony’s Success

16:32 The Experience of Unboxing Saucony Shoes

19:23 Material Sourcing and Sustainability

22:32 Innovative Packaging and Marketing Strategies

25:25 The Future of Saucony and Market Expansion

31:04 The Art of Scrappy Storytelling

33:26 Inspiration Behind Design: The Year of the Snake

38:45 Creating Unique Footwear: The Omni 9 and Triumph 4

41:20 Heritage vs. Innovation: The Saucony Approach

47:49 Collaboration and Authenticity in Design

53:50 The Power of Relationships in Footwear Design

59:19 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Innovations

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Disclaimer: 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.

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Written by
Nick Engvall
Nick Engvall has worked in sneaker culture professionally since 2007. He built the original Eastbay Blog during his time at Sole Collector, led Complex’s first dedicated sneaker team, launched the first UGC and seeding programs at Finish Line, was employee number nine at StockX, and served as Senior Director at Stadium Goods. He hosts the Sneaker History podcast, with more than 600,000 downloads, and is the author of Small Luxuries: Sneakers, out in 2026 from Motorbooks.
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