Cape Town, 24 February 2026 – PUMA reprises its partnership with British tannery Charles F. Stead, once again centred around one of PUMA’s most enduring icons, the Suede.
Named for its signature upper and celebrated for its nostalgic colourways, the PUMA Suede is now reimagined with a premium execution in collaboration with the maker of renowned English suede leathers.
For the latest drop, the Suede is pared back into one of its purest and most pristine expressions, featuring original detailing and rendered in three elegant and vibrant colourways: “Honey Butter,” classic “PUMA Black,” and “Orange Glo.” The latter edition evokes a famous Knicks-Orange colourway created specially by PUMA for the Suede’s one-time namesake, the ever-stylish Walt “Clyde” Frazier Jr.
Since 1825, Charles F. Stead has crafted premium suedes known for their soft, natural feel. A meticulous tanning process sets their materials apart as some of the finest in the world. Commemorating the handshake between the two brands, each pair comes with a special Charles F. Stead hang tag, crafted from the same material as the upper.
To mark the Suede’s enduring cultural impact, PUMA opened the year with Suede House – an immersive experience during Paris Fashion Week celebrating the silhouette’s past, present, and future. The activation reframed the icon through a contemporary lens, reinforcing the Suede’s lasting influence while introducing its legacy to a new generation.
The PUMA x Charles F. Stead Suede is available starting 28 February 2026, from PUMA.com, PUMA retail stores, Shelflife, Archive. Jack Lemkus will retail the “Honey Butter” and “PUMA Black” colourways only, while Sneaker District will stock the “PUMA Black” colourway. Price R2699.
About the PUMA Suede
The Crack, the Clyde, the States, and then the Suede. One shoe, many names, one incredible legacy. The Suede is a design with unmatched history: lofted up on the Olympic podium, worn on the NBA court by Walt Frazier, and embraced by New York City B-boys and skateboarders.
PUMA’s first-ever “lifestyle” shoe was the Crack, which was launched in 1968 for the Olympics in Mexico City, where it was famously raised up in the hand of track and field athlete Tommie Smith. In 1973, Walt Frazier added his spin on the silhouette, creating the Clyde. Following Frazier’s era, the shoe became known as the Suede, named for its signature upper material. With the rise of B-boy crews and hip-hop, the Suede was adopted into that growing scene. Finally, when it debuted in the UK during the 1980s, it arrived with the name States, as a nod to its popularity overseas. Thanks to this unique history, the Suede is considered an icon today.
