We know the Puma Speedcat as a fashion shoe. Slim, low, easy to style. But that’s not where it started. It was originally designed for Formula 1 drivers, and built for precision, grip, and control. Over time, the shoe gradually started to move into everyday wear.
Now it’s getting a new take through a collaboration between Puma, Super Yaya, and Zalando. The shoe is sporty and chic, classic and bold, something you can wear during the day and still carry into the evening without it feeling out of place.
Super Yaya, founded by Rym Beydoun in 2016, brings a very specific point of view into this. Having studied at Central Saint Martins and now working between Beirut and Abidjan, her work is grounded in research and cultural references tied to her Ivorian and Lebanese background. You can see that in how she mixes couture elements and everyday elements, reworking traditional influences into something current.
The first drop of this collaboration comes in a canvas material and sits more on the casual end, being lightweight and easy to wear. A dotted motif runs along the side stripe, a detail that connects back to Super Yaya’s previous collections The different colorways stay balanced, being Black and white, blue green, and brown almond. All pairs come with an extra pair of laces which allows you to customize your look.
The second drop, which will be available on April 30th, is a more refined version of the shoe, with a Patent leather finish, embossed texture, and comes in deeper tones like plum and full black. It leans towards a sharper, more formal look. It works as an alternative to a classic dress shoe, still keeping the identity of the original Speedcat.
The campaign is fronted by South Sudanese-British model and activist Alek Wek, who has been in the industry since the 90s, known for challenging narrow beauty standards at a time when fashion looked very different. The campaign was shot in a dance studio inspired by Murda Afrique, focusing on movement and posture, with ties back to both the origins of the Speedcat and the redesign by Super Yaya.
The first drop has been available on Zalando since April 16, and the second will follow on April 30, with additional availability through Super Yaya’s website and Dover Street Market Paris. Retail price €130
