Puma
The Puma brand was born on October 1, 1948, when Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler registered the brand name with the German Patent and Trademark Office.
Dassler was already a celebrated shoemaker. Twenty-eight years earlier, he and brother Adolf “Adi” Dassler opened a footwear factory in their hometown of Herzogenaurach, Germany. Their products soon became popular with elite runners, including Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin wearing Dassler spikes. The Dassler brothers’ breakup following World War II is one of the most legendary stories in athletics — and one of its biggest rivalries. Adolf went on to found Adidas. Both sports giants remain based in Herzogenaurach.
For Puma, its first big success came in 1950 with the Atom football/soccer boot, marking a long heritage in the sport. Its most iconic style, though, is the Puma Suede, which launched ahead of the 1968 Olympics, where it was famously worn by Tommie Smith. For a time, the sneaker was called the Puma Clyde in honor of Walt “Clyde” Frazier. Then in the 1980s, it became the Suede and was adopted by New York’s b-boy crews and West Coast skateboarders, cementing its universal appeal. Puma scored another hit in 2016 when it unveiled the Fenty x Puma Creeper with brand partner Rihanna, earning it the FN Shoe of the Year award.
Puma
Streetwear and Sneaker Brands Head to Dubai for Sole DXB
Sole DXB, an annual lifestyle festival, offers a platform for luxury, streetwear and athletic brands to…
Selena Gomez Designs First Full Collection for Puma
The singer had previously created two sneakers in collaboration with the brand.
Puma and Forever 21 Settle Patent Suit Over Fenty Products
After Puma alleged Forever 21 violated patent law, the case has been settled out of court pending the…
The Battle Between Puma and Forever 21 Over Creeper Sneakers Continues
The fast-fashion retailer says it couldn't have copied the shoes because they've been in the public domain…
Puma’s Sales and Earnings Jump on Apparel Strength, Basketball Launch
With growth in apparel and a positive kickoff of its basketball line for North America, Puma sees a bright…
Puma Chief Signals Slowdown in Sneaker Boom
Demand for big logo-driven pieces drove a spike in apparel sales in the third quarter.
Freedom United Sues Rihanna’s Fenty Corp., Puma Over ‘FU’ Adorned Apparel
The apparel brand, known for its trademark "FU" insignia, has sued Fenty Corp. and Puma over an alleged…
Hypefest Attempts to Balance Commerce With Community
The two-day event was devoid of the hype typically associated with streetwear and sneaker shopping events…
Puma Kicks Off Reform, a Social Media Platform for Change
The German sports brand was inspired by Tommie Smith's Silent Gesture at the 1968 Olympics.
EXCLUSIVE: Karl Lagerfeld Teams With Puma for Capsule Range
The 13-piece collection features sporty basics fusing the brands' codes and two unisex spins of Puma's iconic…
Puma Retailers Love the Brand’s History and Consumer Engagement
Retailers talk with FN about why they are fans of the brand.
Why Winning in Basketball Is Vital to Puma’s Success in the US
Execs, industry experts and NBA players weigh in.
Puma CEO’s Plans on Making the Brand a Hit in the US
Björn Gulden speaks exclusively with FN on its plans to win over American consumers.
Exclusive: Selena Gomez on Empowering Women and Shutting Down the Haters
The Puma ambassador is using her new shoe to champion strong females.
Puma’s Adjusted Sales Bounce 15 Percent in Q2
The sneaker brand is dealing with global trade uncertainty linked to the U.S. and Turkey by adding production…