Latest news with #Speedcat
Business Insider
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
10 ballet sneakers on pointe for this summer, according to style editors
JW Pei Caitlin Lace-up Ballerina Sneakers "I call these my 'tactical ballet flats' because their squared ridges and rubber toe caps remind me of a utility boot. I even had someone tell me these shoes were sexy — maybe because the laces almost look like corsets for your feet? I took a risk testing them for the first time at an all-day music festival (worn with no-show socks and packed Band-Aids, just in case). And yet, no blisters whatsoever. They don't have enough support features to be deemed everyday walking shoes, but I was able to stand in them for over 12 hours straight on two occasions without discomfort. The foam footbeds have an airy mesh overlay, so despite all the dancing and walking my feet didn't overheat. They run narrow in the toe box, so if you're between sizes, I suggest rounding up. For under $100, these are a good value on a style that'll last as long as ballet sneakers are on trend. It may not be a style built for longevity, but JW Pei hits the nail on the head by articulating the most recognizable elements from both ballet slippers and sneakers, and combining them into one accessibly-priced shoe." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews Vivaia Cristina Sneakerina "I wore these while walking around on a particularly sunny day in Brooklyn and received no fewer than three compliments from complete strangers. You can choose from a variety of lace colors and styles, so I paired mine with a pink ribbon. The combo of blush-colored satin and a silky ribbon made these the girliest sneakers I could imagine, which is perfect for me. But typically, trendy footwear is made to be fun and fashionable, not necessarily comfortable. These, however, happen to be both. I made the risky decision of wearing these for the first time without socks, but my feet felt fine even after walking two miles in them. They're pretty flat and are made to have a "barefoot feel," so people who crave lots of arch support might not find these comfortable. But I loved the feeling of walking around in these free-feeling flats. And in case you need some extra convincing that these are really the shoe of the moment, trend-making celebrities like Bella Hadid and Charli XCX have been seen in the Vivaia Sneakerina, along with a number of other big fashion names who have rep'd the comfort-first brand." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews Puma Speedcat Ballet Puma's Speedcat Ballet follows up on the massively successful Speedcat, a motorist-inspired shoe that debuted in 2024 and quickly took over the sneaker world. In 2025, the Speedcat Ballet was born, marrying the best of the OG style into a new hybrid ballet flat silhouette. This style has been in high demand, but if you're keen on trying Puma's ballet sneakers before the restock, check out the Speedcat Go or Mostro Fey instead. Vagabond Hillary Ballet Flat Steve Madden Scooter Sneaker Steve Madden famously has no qualms about replicating on-trend luxury brand shoes into his own affordable alternatives. These Wales Bonner-inspired Mary Janes have thick elastic velcro straps fastened across the uppers. Available in fashion-forward textures like silver metallic and cowhide, these sneaker flats would work wonders paired with athletic shorts or a denim mini skirt. Salomon RX Marie-Jeanne As if Salomon weren't already cool girl-coded, they went ahead and pioneered the ballet sneaker resurgence. In the past it has teamed up with Sandy Liang and MM6 Maison Margiela to give its more rugged styles a girly twist. While the designer collabs are harder to grab, Salomon still carries ballet sneakers like the RX Marie Jeanne — a gorpcore version of the classic Mary Jane. Adidas Originals Taekwondo Mei Ballet If your Sambas or Spezials have had you in a chokehold and you're ready to try something a little different, consider the Adidas Originals Taekwondo Mei Ballet sneakers. This style was resurrected from a martial arts shoe that first debuted in the early 2000s. Constructed out of super soft leather and a minimalist low profile sole, these ballet flats combine the best aspects from the original design with a modern sneakerina twist.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Rosé Loves These Low-Key Sneakers
Where Rosé goes, Seoul follows. This past weekend, the solo artist and Blackpink member partnered with Puma to celebrate the latest version of the iconic H-Street sneaker ahead of its June release. To celebrate, the brand kicked things off with a pop-up experience. Fans gathered in crowds outside the venue Layer 41, craning their necks to catch a mere glimpse of the K-pop sensation. The fanfare didn't stop there—other all-star guests included Itsy's Yeji and Squid Game's Yuri Jo. Inside, Rosé toured the immersive installations alongside press and select VIP guests, learning about the history of Puma's sneakers while decked out in her own neon green H-Street pair. 'I think of comfort the most when I head out,' the global ambassador tells ELLE. 'Being able to look cute and comfy all at the same time, whether at rehearsals or in the studio, [working with Puma] has been really rewarding.' For the singer, ease has always been key to her personal style as a performer. As she explains, 'At the very beginning, I didn't understand what made me feel comfortable and what didn't. Now just knowing that, and no matter what other people say, as long as I feel comfortable that's all that matters.' When asked what drew the brand to Rosé and to Seoul, Gregor Abenstein, head of Puma Select, says, 'We very much look to Seoul when we want to see what's next. When we kicked off the Speedcat [sneaker], Seoul was also the first city where we saw the shoes on the feet of the right people. Our Korean team basically gave us the heads up that low profile might be coming back.' Abenstein also explained that they wanted the immersive experience to feel authentic to the venue's neighborhood and the city's style. 'We relied heavily on our partners and the communities that they acquired to help lead us to the heart of the city. From the food that's been chosen, down to the DJs and the nail artists, it has been specifically curated to be part of our cultural community.' As a result, the event tapped vendors including Cold Archive and Inside Tag to curate an installation of interactive art zones. Featuring everything from custom screen-printed T-shirts emblazoned with '___ Sucks' to alien-like nail art, each station complemented the display of archival Puma products. On the main floor, guests were able to walk through the history of the brand, tracing its very first pair of track spikes to the H-Street sneaker's inception in 2003. The Puma H-Street sneakers, including the event's signature neon green colorway, as sported by Rosé, will be available for purchase in late June. You Might Also Like The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types 100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sports brand Puma reports flat first-quarter sales, maintains 2025 outlook
HighlightsPuma's first-quarter sales reached 2.08 billion euros, slightly exceeding analysts' expectations, but its gross profit margin declined by 0.6 percentage points to 47 percent. The company has appointed former Adidas sales chief Arthur Hoeld as its new Chief Executive Officer to improve performance amidst ongoing struggles with sales growth. Puma plans to cut 500 corporate positions globally by the end of the second quarter as part of a cost-cutting strategy and has already reduced U.S. imports from China due to high tariffs. German sportswear brand Puma reported flat first-quarter sales and a decline in its profit margin on Thursday, and maintained its 2025 outlook, excluding any impact from U.S. tariffs. Puma replaced its CEO last month after a string of profit warnings as the company struggled to drive consistent sales growth, with its new shoes ranges like the Speedcat not doing as well as the company had expected. Shares were up around 2 per cent in early trading on Thursday. Puma's stock is down 47 per cent since the start of the year, as missed sales and profit expectations weigh. First-quarter sales of 2.08 billion euros ($2.35 billion) were slightly better than analysts' average forecast of 2.04 billion euros, and up 0.1 per cent from the first quarter of last year. Weaker sales to retailers in the U.S. and China drove Puma's wholesale business - its main sales driver - down by 3.6 per cent, but stronger online sales helped its direct-to-consumer business grow 12 per cent to 546.5 million euros. Puma has named former Adidas sales chief Arthur Hoeld as its new CEO to turn performance around. The board is leading the company until Hoeld takes over on July 1. The company's gross profit margin for the first quarter declined by 0.6 percentage points to 47 per cent. Puma stuck to its 2025 outlook for "low-to mid-single-digit" sales growth, but said that excludes any impact from U.S. tariffs. It has already reduced its U.S. imports from China, which are subject to tariffs of 145 per cent, Chief Financial Officer Markus Neubrand said. Like its competitors Adidas and Nike, Puma would be hit hard if U.S. President Donald Trump reinstates steep tariffs on Southeast Asia, currently paused until July. Puma buys 28 per cent of its products from factories in China, with Vietnam a close second at 26 per cent, and Cambodia producing 16 per cent. It plans to cut 500 corporate positions globally by the end of the second quarter as part of a cost-cutting drive, Neubrand said in March.
Business of Fashion
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Puma's Earnings Meet Estimates in Boost for CEO-less Brand
Puma SE reported a stable first quarter in a boost for the German sportswear company, which is currently operating without a chief executive officer. The sneaker brand's adjusted earnings came in at €76 million ($86 million) before interest and taxes, according to a statement Thursday. That's down from a year ago but slightly ahead of analyst estimates. Puma also maintained its 2025 earnings targets while acknowledging that the outlook ignores the potential impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs because there's so much uncertainty. Shares rose as much as 7.8 percent in Frankfurt trading. The stock is down more than 40 percent so far this year. The steady performance amounts to a bright spot for the German brand, which in April parted ways with its former CEO Arne Freundt following a disagreement with the supervisory board over the company's strategy. Puma is now waiting for Adidas veteran Arthur Hoeld's arrival as boss in July. It's a challenging time to be without a leader, with the sneaker industry's exposure to Asia manufacturing putting it in the crosshairs of the US trade war. But Puma appears to be gaining some momentum with its retro Speedcat sneaker, which is key to the company's efforts to raise prices for its more fashionable footwear. The brand still plans to sell between four and six million pairs of the thin-soled Speedcat and related models like the Ballet shoes this year, chief financial officer Markus Neubrand said on a call with reporters. Demand has been particularly strong for those in Asia and North America, while it's been disappointing at some European retailers, he said. While Puma only gets about 20 percent of its sales in the US, the brand has nonetheless seen resilient demand in the country despite concerns about recession and inflation. 'Traffic was under pressure mostly in February, which was the worst month, and since then we've seen an improvement to the traffic development in the US,' Neubrand said. While many investors will welcome the company's decent start to the fiscal year, they'll probably want to see how exactly Hoeld will adjust the strategy before changing their opinion about Puma, Piral Dadhania, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said in a note. Puma performed slightly better than expected in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region while its performance suffered in North America and China, Dadhania noted. In March, Puma disappointed investors with a gloomy trading update based on trade tariffs, currency swings and escalating geopolitical tensions. It also said adjusted earnings before interest and taxes would probably fall this year to between €520 million and €600 million, while currency-adjusted sales would only grow in the low- to mid-single-digit range. The outlook raised doubts about whether Puma can achieve its target of an 8.5 percent EBIT margin by 2027, a goal it already pushed back by two years in January. The brand has struggled to build on the momentum it generated during the nearly decade-long tenure of Bjorn Gulden, who left to become Adidas's CEO in 2023. Freundt sought to deepen Puma's profile on higher-end sneakers and sports gear but never managed to roll out a product that captured the zeitgeist. While some analysts applauded the decision to bring in Hoeld as the new CEO, they cautioned that it will take months for Puma to change its strategy and even longer for Hoeld to bring new products to market. By Tim Loh Learn more: Puma Warns Tariffs, Geopolitical Tensions in 2025 Forecast The German sportswear brand expects currency-adjusted sales to grow in the low- to mid-single-digit range, it said in a statement.
Hype Malaysia
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Dua Lipa Hits The Road In PUMA Speedcats, Bringing Aura & Desert Dreams To Life
Dua Lipa kicks off the next chapter of her road trip adventure, letting her Speedcats lead the way through the desert. Cruising in a classic ride and making spontaneous pit stops along the way, her path takes her through diners and other iconic roadside spots. As she embraces the journey, Dua Lipa highlights the Speedcat in Brown, alongside other fresh takes on the silhouette. The Speedcat-fueled adventure embodies the same bold spirit of exploration that originally defined, and continues to define, the racing-inspired essence of the Speedcat. Reintroduced from PUMA's archive for its 25th anniversary, the Speedcat made its official return in the summer of 2024, earning celebrity co-signs and proving its sell-out appeal. Since then, PUMA has redefined the iconic silhouette through collaborations and limited releases. The PUMA Speedcat in 'Haute Coffee' and 'Royal Blue' is available now at PUMA stores and selected PUMA stockists, at a retail price of RM549.
