Puma
Puma is the brand that has made a name for itself both on the pitch and on the streets. Founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, brother of Adolf Dassler (yes, the man who founded Adidas!), Puma has blazed a trail of its own with bold designs and a resolutely performance-oriented attitude. For decades, Puma has been a major player in sportswear, as well as a benchmark in street culture.
Sibling rivalry
Puma, a brand forged in rivalry
The story of Puma began with a family feud. Rudolf Dassler, at odds with his brother Adi, left the family business to launch his own brand: Puma. What initially seemed like a war between brothers quickly became a battle of titans in the sports industry. Where Adidas focused on football and athletics, Puma quickly conquered other disciplines, partnering with renowned athletes.
The legend truly began in 1958, when athletes at the FIFA World Cup wore the first Puma cleats. Then, in 1968, Puma made Olympic history with Tommie Smith and his raised fist on the podium at the Mexico City Olympics, wearing Puma shoes. This gesture became a symbol of protest against racial injustice, and Puma is linked to this iconic image.
Street culture takes over Puma
In the 90s and 2000s, Puma moved beyond the sports fields and into street culture. In urban fashion, Puma made its mark with cult models like the Suede, the suede sneakers that thrilled skaters, breakdancers, and graffiti artists. It's impossible to talk about Puma without mentioning this minimalist yet ultra-effective silhouette, worn by icons like B-Boy Crazy Legs and even Jay-Z.
Puma has always known how to adapt and collaborate with influential figures in culture. The brand made a big splash by partnering with artists like Rihanna, who relaunched the Puma Creeper model in a street-chic version that won over an entire generation.
Innovation in the service of style and performance
A brand that renews itself
Puma has never been afraid to push boundaries, and it shows in its innovations. RS (Running System) technology is one of the brand's signatures, combining comfort and performance with a retro-futuristic look that's making a splash in the lifestyle space. Collaborations with giants like Ferrari and BMW reinforce this connection between elite sport and urban lifestyle.
And for football fans, how can we not mention the legend Pelé, who made sporting history by wearing Puma King shoes? More recently, stars like Neymar continue to write Puma history on the pitch, while bringing it back to the streets with their fashion collaborations.
Puma in pop culture
The brand has made inroads into music, film, and fashion. Celebrities like Dua Lipa and The Weeknd have become ambassadors, giving Puma a youthful, dynamic, and creative image. And let's not forget the unmissable collaboration with Rihanna's Fenty. Whether in music videos, on the runway, or simply on the street, Puma is everywhere.
Puma embodies that unique vibe, a perfect blend of history, culture, and modernity. The brand remains essential for those who want to combine comfort, performance, and style without ever compromising.