A Story of Craftsmanship: PUMA and Charles F. Stead Elevate the PUMA Suede Like Never Before
PUMA and Charles F. Stead Elevate the PUMA Suede Like Never Before
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 PUMA 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.
A Premium Reimagining of an Icon
For the latest drop, the Suede is pared back into one of its purest and most pristine expressions. The sneaker features original detailing and is rendered in three elegant and vibrant colourways:
- Honey Butter
- PUMA Black
- Orange Glo
The “Orange Glo” edition pays tribute to a famous Knicks-inspired colourway created specially for the Suede’s one-time namesake, NBA legend Walt Frazier, also known as Walt “Clyde” Frazier Jr.
The Craft Behind the Collaboration
Since 1825, Charles F. Stead has crafted premium suedes known for their soft, natural feel. A meticulous tanning process distinguishes their materials 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 shoe’s upper — reinforcing the collaboration’s authenticity and craftsmanship.
Celebrating Cultural Legacy at Suede House
To mark the Suede’s enduring cultural impact, PUMA opened the year with Suede House during Paris Fashion Week.
The immersive experience celebrated the silhouette’s past, present, and future — reframing the icon through a contemporary lens while introducing its legacy to a new generation.
Release Date, Price & Where to Buy in South Africa
The PUMA x Charles F. Stead Suede will be available from 28 February 2026 at:
- PUMA.com
- PUMA retail stores
- Shelflife
- Archive
Jack Lemkus will stock the Honey Butter and PUMA Black colourways only.
Retail Price: R2699
About the PUMA Suede
The Crack. The Clyde. The States. And finally, the Suede.
One shoe, many names — one incredible legacy.
The silhouette first launched in 1968 as the Crack for the Mexico City Olympics. It gained historic visibility when track and field athlete Tommie Smith raised it on the Olympic podium in a defining cultural moment.
In 1973, Walt Frazier added his signature touch to the silhouette, creating the Clyde. As hip-hop culture and B-boy crews rose in New York City, the Suede became deeply embedded in street culture.
When it debuted in the UK during the 1980s, it arrived under the name “States,” nodding to its American roots.
Thanks to its unparalleled history — from Olympic podiums to NBA courts to hip-hop streets — the PUMA Suede remains one of the most influential sneakers ever created.
