A$AP Rocky, who took home the Collaboration of the Year award with Puma at the Footwear News Achievement Awards the day before, is a native of Harlem. He and his parter gave back to his hometown in laidback, chic outfits. Rihanna wore a sweatshirt-dress with knit boots while A$AP rocked Puma sneakers with blue jeans and a leather jacket over a sweatshirt. Also at the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem were Dapper Dan, Danielle Guizio, Colm Dillane and Emory Jones.

Jones introduced A$AP Rocky before he accepted his award at the FNAAs on Wednesday. Rocky took home his FNAA on Wednesday eight years after Rihanna won the Shoe of the Year award in 2016 for the Fenty Puma Creeper.

“Honestly, this is just like one of the best accomplishments ever,” he said in his acceptance speech at the awards show held on Dec. 4 at Cipriani South Street. “You know, I was inspired. I saw my lady receive this thing almost a decade ago. Like she inspires me a lot.”

He continued, “But besides that, you know, the thought of me being with Puma and making collaborations is a gift. I mean, I didn’t even think that was really possible. And look at us now, you know what I’m saying? It was always just like, it just felt like it was something missing in the market. And it was me, I was missing.”

Fresh off their appearance at the 38th annual Footwear News Achievement Awards on Dec. 4, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky helped give back to Harlem community at a Dec. 5 event organized by Puma, a brand both artists have partnerships with.

Joined by other Puma ambassadors at the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem amid the holiday season, the couple helped distribute Puma sneakers, apparel, accessories and more items to over 200 members of the club. Whilst engaging with community of her partner’s native Harlem, Rihanna wore a cozy outfit set off by a pair of knit boots from Amina Muaddi.

The multi-hyphenate dressed up in a gray sweatshirt-dress with a mermaid-style skirt. The unique garment included a drawstring hoodie, fully leaning into the aesthetic of elevated comfort. She added another element to her ensemble with a brown fur vest, which introduced a new color and texture to the outfit. Her accessories included thickly-framed yellow-tinted sunglasses and layered gold pendant necklaces, which further amped up her glamour.

Maintaining her cozy vibe, Rihanna appeared to be wearing boots by Amina Muaddi, a designer she’s repped in the past and collaborated with through her Fenty line. The Italian-crafted Veneda Stretch boot features a ribbed knit fabric upper, with the shaft reaching up to the calf; the stretchy material hugs the leg for a sock-like fit. The shoes also feature a rounded toe and a 95 mm sculpted heel. From the luxury brand, the boot retails for $1,355.

Rihanna stepped out in a similar pair of knit sock boots from Bottega Veneta earlier this year, though those were flat shoes. When she’s dressing up in heels, she loves an Amina Muaddi shoe, among other brands. She debuted Muaddi’s new Anok Mule in September and slipped on a black version of what looked like the same silhouette in October to go with a catsuit designed by none other than A$AP Rocky.

Both A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have won Footwear News Achievement Awards for their work with Puma. A$AP Rocky won the Collaboration of the Year award with Puma at the FNAAs the day before they appeared at the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem. Back in 2016, Rihanna won the Shoe of the Year award for the Fenty Puma Creeper.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Have the Best Night at the 2024 Shoe Oscars PHOTOS

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Rihanna is reflecting on what it means to return to the Footwear News Achievement Awards — but this time around, in support of her partner A$AP Rocky, who received the Collaboration of the Year award alongside Puma at the Dec. 4 awards show in New York City.

The fashion mogul attended the 2016 iteration of the event, often dubbed the “Shoe Oscars,” when she was fêted with the Shoe of the Year award for the Fenty Puma Creeper. Now that it’s A$AP’s turn to be honored, Rihanna was right by his side throughout the night — laughing with him, applauding him, and even joining him and the Puma team on stage.

On the red carpet at the FNAAs on Wednesday, Rihanna told Footwear News, “I always support Rocky. It’s not new for me to be here today, but I’m just so excited for him to have this achievement and have everyone revere him in the light that he deserves.”

Rihanna continued to laud A$AP, with whom she shares two young sons, saying, “He is such a creative and he creates all day, every day, in all different ways. He loves this. This is the thing that makes him so happy. The only thing that makes him happier than this is being a father. And to see him be honored for things that he truly loves — I’m excited to be here.”

A$AP Rocky certainly got creative when it came time to design with Puma, referring to his ideas as “audacious” in his acceptance speech. The rapper joined Puma in 2023 as creative director of the brand’s F1 line. In 2024, the partnership brought about multiple boundary-pushing shoe releases, including a 3D-printed version of the Mostro silhouette.

Rihanna appeared shocked when she was reminded her own FNAA win was nearly a decade ago. “Almost a decade — girl! You just aged me.”

Considering the achievement, the superstar recognized the significance of the moment and looked ahead to how her and A$AP’s children might view it in the future: “To be here by his side and see him win this it is a full circle moment. We’re excited, and I know our kids going to be proud one day when they think we’re not cool.”

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Have the Best Night at the 2024 Shoe Oscars PHOTOS

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The awards ceremony took place at Cipriani South Street on Dec. 4, in New York City and the biggest and most important names in the shoe industry were present to honor this year’s honorees which included Martha Stewart, A$AP Rocky, Kenneth Cole, New Balance and more.

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram.

There were some emotional moments from presenters, touching speeches from the honorees, the famous guest mingling and more fun surprises like Rihanna making her way to the stage. Take a look at some of the behind the scenes moments you may have missed and as the stars mingled and celebrated one another at FN’s annual event.

It was a full circle, and emotional, moment for the couple as A$AP Rocky accepted the Collaboration of the Year Award with Puma — eight years after Rihanna stood on the FNAA stage to accept the Shoe of the Year award for her Puma Fenty Creeper.

Rihanna couldn’t have been a more supportive cheerleader during Rocky’s big night. She proudly brought his FN cover on stage when he asked the entire Puma team to join him for his big moment. And a few minutes earlier, she captured Rocky’s remarks on her cell phone from the audience. After the event wrapped, Rihanna and Rocky greeted the crowd, posing with Icon honoree Martha Stewart, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Kenneth Cole and many others.

Perhaps the night’s best photos came during the couple’s turn in FN’s portrait studio. Check out all the action from the big night at Footwearnews.com

Rihanna joined partner A$AP Rocky along with Puma Group chief executive officer Arne Freundt on the stage at tonight’s FN Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street.

The singer and make-up mogul joined the crew on stage holding the latest issue of FN featuring Rocky as one of this month’s cover stars.

“I just want to take this moment out to thank the North American team at Puma, who [are] killing sh*t right now, we did that,” Rocky said on Wednesday night. “And I want y’all to come up here and accept this with me right now. Bring your asses up on stage.”

Rocky went on to acknowledge Freundt and his support in their ongoing partnership. “I want to point out how this man has transformed Puma in North America as CEO,” Rocky added. “I mean, just think about it, his influence alone, especially my journey. I think we got into this company together around the same time, roughly. And I mean, look at the change. And I just want to thank you all. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Since Rocky joined Puma late last year as the creative director for the brand’s F1 partnership, the rapper has incorporated motorsport design elements across all of his offerings. And with the rising popularity of F1 in the U.S., the timing of this buzzy partnership couldn’t be better.

In a series of releases this year, A$AP Rocky and Puma delivered multiple sell-out distressed versions of the Inhale sneaker and a highly imaginative, 3D-printed edition of the Mostro shoe. The music star’s latest collection featured night racing-inspired black and green colorways of the Inhale and Mostro yet again.

What’s most impressing is the new 3D Mostro style brought Rocky’s “Grim” vision to life through the use of Carbon Digital Light Synthesis (Carbon DLS), a resin-based 3D-printing process that reimagined the recently revived archival sneaker as an alien slip-on. Spikes of varying sizes protrude throughout the perforated shoe, with a wider honey-comb pattern used around the ankle. The thicker spiked sole leaves a cavern at midfoot, with a spray paint-like finish.

He’s also taken on Puma’s Inhale sneaker for his ongoing collaboration. Interestingly, the shoe is often seen in pre-distressed colorways — a design technique that harkens back to Rocky’s childhood.

Rocky’s youth is a reoccurring theme in his design codes. “I take inspiration from my childhood experiences and just what I went through culturally,” he said. “I try to embed that into everything. When you manifest what you know, what you’re curious about, you embark on something new. So that’s how we start something while carrying on tradition. We do that in everything.”

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram. 

FNAA 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates

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A$AP Rocky & Rihanna brought major couple style to the FN Achievement Awards held at Cipriani South Street in New York tonight. Tonight, Rocky received the Collaboration of the Year award alongside Puma. The couple posed for a picture with Puma’s CEO Arne Freundt ahead of the show.

The Harlem native graced the red carpet in unique dress shoes featuring glossy black leather uppers and striking square-toed detailing. Amping up the drama, Rocky aptly proved he was an authority in the fashionscape, fitted in a black leather shearling jacket in an oversized style accompanied by black sunglasses and tailored black trousers. Rocky sported a belt around his waist fixed with maximalist buckles.

Rocky gave a shout-out to Rihanna during his acceptance speech. He spoke about being inspired by her winning Shoe of the Year at the FNAA’s back in 2016 and brought her onstage along with the Puma team to accept his award. Additionally, the “Diamonds” songstress wore a white floor-length gown featuring ruching on the waist, a popped high-collared neckline and a daring slit up the front.

Speaking of Rihanna, the fashion mainstay sported a pair of white sandals that wound up her legs. Rounded open toes gave way to crisscrossing straps that stopped just beneath her knees.

The rapper teamed up with the sporting giant back in 202 when he was named creative director of its F1 line. 2024 brought about multiple exciting sneaker drops born of the partnership, including new interpretations of the Inhale and Mostro styles. With the Mostro, they ventured into the modern world of 3D shoe printing.

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram. 

FNAA 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates

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Rihanna can be counted on to support A$AP Rocky. The superstar and style icon arrived at the 38th annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York on Wednesday, where her partner was honored alongside Puma, wearing white gladiator sandals from Manolo Blahnik with a show-stopping custom white gown from Alaïa.

The multi-hyphenate, who won Shoe of the Year with Puma in 2016, certainly turned heads in a stark white leather fitted dress that gathered at the waist and flowed into a skirt that elegantly fell into a rounded shape across the floor. Designed by Pieter Mulier, the dress featured a statement-making raised collar, which was accented by a multi-strand pearl choker. Additional accessories included a complex landscape of sparkling earrings while her hair was styled in a carefully coiffed updo and bangs.

The awards show is all about shoes, and Rihanna did not disappoint with her footwear. She wore a pair of strappy white sandals with slender straps criss-crossing up her ankle and calf, taking a style note from Ancient Rome. The shoes also featured two straps crossing in an X-shape across the toes while a heel elevated her look.

A$AP Rocky was on-hand to receive the Collaboration of the Year award with Puma at the FNAAs. Following his partner Rihanna’s success with Puma, the rapper teamed up with the brand in 2023, when he was named creative director of its F1 line. 2024 brought about multiple exciting sneaker drops born of the partnership, including new interpretations of the Inhale and Mostro styles. With the Mostro, they ventured into the modern world of 3D shoe printing.

It’s difficult to name a couple in entertainment with the same eye-catching flair for fashion as A$AP Rocky and Rihanna. They each have their own distinctive styles but also play off of each other’s preferences, often coordinating their outfits when they step out together.

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram.

FNAA 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates

View Gallery 59 Images

Rihanna knows how to turn heads through her style and shoes, and her ensemble for the 2024 Fashion Awards on Dec. 2 in London, England was no different. The Fenty Beauty founder was in attendance wearing Saint Laurent heels to support her partner A$AP Rocky, who is set to receive the Cultural Innovator Award on behalf of the British Fashion Council Foundation.

The singer popped on the red carpet at the event wearing a teal wide brimmed hat and a turquoise blue fur dress, which was Christian Lacroix Fall/Winter 2002 Couture. As a true fashion girl, Rihanna knows accessories are the keys to putting together the right look and paired the look with stacked diamond necklaces that danced around her chest, bringing attention to the deep cut of her dress. She added a pair of black leather gloves, black sheer tights and Saint Laurent’s Harlow pumps on her feet. She was styled by Jahleel Weaver.

The shoes are made from black satin crepe and feature a large crystal in the center. The heel features a flared heel, pointed toe, and low-cut vamp, and an ankle wrapped strap with a giant crystal ornament at the center bringing all the straps together. A 4.3 inch heel brings it all together. The YSL shoe currently retails for $ 1,490. Keke Palmer recently wore the same shoe for an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Rocky kept it cool in a deeper shade of blue, wearing an oversized navy blue suit, orange tie and square toe dress shoes.

Rihanna is no stranger to the event since she attended when she won the “Urban Luxe” award for her eponymous Fenty label in 2019. The fundraiser, which was presented by Pandora this year, takes place at the Royal Albert Hall in London and celebrates designers in the womenswear and menswear world for their work each year.

“We are thrilled to honour A$AP Rocky with the Cultural Innovator Award tonight. Rocky has had a resounding impact on the creative industries and popular culture this year – from his Paris Fashion Week debut to designing the retro futuristic neighbourhood in the Moncler’s The City of Genius in Shanghai,” Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council. “Through these collections and the promotion of his upcoming album ‘Don’t Be Dumb’, he has firmly positioned himself at the intersection of culture and innovation. We are also incredibly grateful for his continued support of UK designers and retail.”

Rocky is on a winning streak this week. A$AP Rocky x Puma will receive this year’s Collaboration of the Year award at the FN Achievement Awards on Dec. 4. The celebrated rapper will accept the award during the FNAA red carpet and gala event on Dec. 4 at Cipriani South Street in New York.

“We’ve been working hard together on developing product that speaks to me and my culture and blurs the lines between motorsport, streetwear and fashion,” A$AP Rocky told FN. “It’s been an exciting challenge, and I’m really happy with how my designs and creative interpretations have come to life. Puma has given me the keys to push the boundaries, and I’m immensely grateful for their trust. This is just the beginning.”

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s Couple Style So Far [PHOTOS]

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Tom Ford received the Outstanding Achievement award while A$AP Rocky took home the Cultural Innovator Award (ahead of receiving the Collaboration of the Year award with Puma at the 2024 FNAAs). Tyler Mitchell received the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator and Remo Ruffini was recognized with the Trailblazer Award. Additionally, special recognition awards were given to Gucci, Sophia Neophituo-Apostalou and Margaret Barbour.

Issa Rae was the recipient of the Pandora Leader of Change award. A myriad of designers were nominated across several categories as well, with Designer of the Year nods going to Chemena Kamali for Chloé; John Galliano for Maison Margiela; Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and Loewe; Miuccia Prada for Miu Miu; Pieter Mulier for Alaïa; and Rick Owens for Rick Owens.

With the event focused on all things fashion, attendees’ outfits did not disappoint. See photos from the awards show below.