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

View Gallery 14 Images

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

View Gallery 14 Images

A$AP Rocky delivered some of the best one-liners of the night as he accepted his Collaboration of the Year award for his work with Puma at the 2024 FNAAs on Wednesday.

“Yo, this is nuts,” Rocky said as he accepted his award from Emory Jones of Roc Nation. “You know, initially I just wanted to come up here and just talk a lot of sh*t, you know, about how lit and how handsome I am. How we the best. But honestly, I’m very humbled by this whole experience, honestly, and I would rather just say some shit from the heart that is genuine.”

The “Fashion Killa” rapper went on to acknowledge his partner Rihanna, who was also in the room Wednesday night. “Honestly, this is just like one of the best accomplishments ever,” he said. You know, I was inspired. I saw my lady receive this thing almost a decade ago. Like she inspires me a lot.”

“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,” Rocky joked. “Even the brands that still haven’t paid me yet, I influence y’all whole sh*t, your whole catalog. I’m on your mood board. Talk about it.”

And in what was one of the evening’s most exciting moments, the rapper asked his whole crew – including Rihanna and Puma Group chief executive officer Arne Freundt – to join him on stage.

“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.

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.

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

View Gallery 59 Images

A$AP Rocky arrived to the 38th annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in an outfit that proved exactly why he’s known as a style icon and a game-changing fashion designer.

Making an entrance at Cipriani South Street on Dec. 4 for the special occasion, he wore a black leather shearling jacket, black sunglasses, black trousers and a pair of squared toe dress shoes. The rapper confirmed to FN that his look—including the leather jacket, viscose silk trousers from Pre-Spring 25 collection look 43, and his Jim loafers—was all from Bottega Veneta.

When he’s not wearing his Puma collaboration, the rapper tends to opt for boots and dress shoes styles from designers like Saint Laurent and Gucci. His partner Rihanna also attended the event, contrasting his all black look by going with a heavenly all white ensemble and strappy white sandals from Manolo Blahnik.

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 sporting giant 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. 

A$AP Rocky’s Style Through the Years

View Gallery 10 Images

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

Puma is releasing a new sneaker replete with archival model nods that was designed with help from artificial intelligence (AI).

Arriving before month’s end is the Inverse, a sneaker that Puma described as an “AI-made concept built on performance models” from its archive. Specifically, Puma stated the Inhale silhouette was “the archival observation,” AI was the “artificial interpretation” and its designers provided “human refinement” to create the Inverse.

“Inverse is a deep dive into a new design mindset,” Puma lead product line manager Scottie Gurwitz said in a statement. “Our goal was to bridge the human experience with experimental technology. AI doesn’t abide by the same rules as human designers, and that can help us see things in new ways and be a good experimental tool for us as we move through the design process.”

Though this look is inspired by Puma’s heritage sneakers, there is more newness to the Inverse than just the AI design help. For instance, it features a midsole cage and the brand’s ProFoam midsole cushioning. The debut colorway was executed with red mesh uppers with dark amethyst and black accents throughout.

The campaign promoting the Inverse, too, was created with AI help. Puma stated it was supported by 3D and generative AI specialist Leilanni Todd of Floam World “who depicts the innovative Inverse inside a world of elevated product imagery.”

“In our design process, AI is very new in terms of our creative exploration and in terms of communicating ideas,” Heiko Desens, Puma global vice president of creative direction and innovation, said in a statement. “At first there was a feeling of uncertainty about the impact of it to our community, but the fascination and new possibilities have taken over. I am stunned by the granular level of the output, and as creatives, we have a new precision tool to level up our design work.”

The Puma Inverse arrives Dec. 7 via Puma.com, at the brand’s flagship stores and at select retailers.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

On Dec. 4, A$AP Rocky and Puma will be honored with the Collaboration of the Year award at the 38th annual FN Achievement Awards. Below is an article from the magazine’s Dec. 2 print issue about the significance of this collaboration for the rapper. 

Tucked away in a corner on the third floor of Puma’s Fifth Avenue flagship store, A$AP Rocky was all smiles as he celebrated the latest drop of his tie up with the German athletic brand.

Indeed, the celebrated rapper, who had just hosted a public event at the store to fete his newest night racing-inspired capsule collection with Puma, was eager to speak with FN about the significance of his Collaboration of the Year award ahead of this year’s FNAAs.

The personal importance of this moment was felt before we even started the interview. In fact, Rocky, who just spent the last hour talking to other media outlets, went to work on creating the perfect backdrop for our discussion — having his team remerchandise the shoe wall he was posed against while taking a moment to change his clothes.

Swapping out a head-to-toe A$AP Rocky x Puma look, the “Fashion Killa” rapper stepped into a monochromatic gray designer outfit that was reminiscent of the many street style shots snapped of the star throughout the years.

“This collaboration means the world to me,” Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, said as we settled into our conversation. “I’m really excited about this collaboration because when we first started off, it felt like we were the underdogs. We weren’t part of the overall conversation, but I think over the past two-and-a-half years, our mission and our goal was to establish that seat at the table more so than anything.”

“Now, we became that girl at prom who took her braces off and showed up looking like Sandy from ‘Grease.’ So it’s just one of those situations where I’m on my John Travolta sh*t right now and no one can compete with us,” he added with a laugh.

And Rocky isn’t wrong. His collaboration with Puma, along with a similar tie-up with Rocky’s partner Rihanna is part of the brand’s push to reenter the style conversation after several years of its competitors leading the discussion around must-have sneakers.

Jon Tang, Puma’s lead design of sportstyle footwear for ambassador, described working with Rocky on this project as a true “creative immersion.”

“We both have an affinity for pulling from the archive and nostalgia,” he said. “We both love Tim Burton. We both love ‘Nightmare Before Christmas.’ We have this very similar mindset to things. So working with him is just a natural flow of ideas. He’s like a pool of creativity and has a unique vision. But his way of looking at references and things like that is refreshing because he wants to help Puma craft different stories. And it just works.”

HIGH OCTANE DESIGN

Since Rocky joined Puma late last year as the creative director for the brand’s Formula One partnership, the music star 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.

According to the “Peso” rapper, he sees his tie up with Puma as part of the plan to make F1 more inclusive. “When I used to go to races before my involvement, you wouldn’t see Black people,” he told FN. “That’s plain and simple. But after that Netflix show [“Formula 1: Drive to Survive”] and different advocates, a lot of Black people are really interested in Formula One. I plan on becoming that bridge between the sport’s wealthy Caucasian audience and the cool-ass street-racing scene and make it something significant. That’s why I’m here.”

Rocky also applauded F1 champion and fellow Puma collaborator Lewis Hamilton as being another contributor in making the sport more inclusive. “This is important because the only person to advocate for anybody of color or minorities was Lewis Hamilton, and we just needed to show there’s not much differences between us. There’s not much separation,” he said. “[Society still] really separate us as classes. But no need to get that deep, we have a cool-ass design.”

Cool design, indeed. One of Rocky’s most interesting Puma creations to-date was his take on the Mostro sneaker. Officially released in September, a version of the A$AP Rocky x Puma Mostro 3D made its first debut at the German athletic brand’s “Welcome to the Amazing Mostro Show” at New York Fashion Week in February.

The new 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.

“When I was younger, my family moved from Harlem in New York to a small town between Hershey and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania, called Rutherford,” Rocky said. “All of my friends at the time were white middle-class kids, and I was the only Black kid from the ghetto. I noticed that all my friends used to come to school and their sneakers always looked dirty. I used to wonder why that was the case. My friends later cultured me and let me know that when you got money, your shoes should look aged and outdated. You want to look like, you know, quiet luxury. If you’re a person with the same kind of taste and style as me, you’ll know it ain’t that cool to show up extra crispy and fresh.”

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.”

FUTURE FOCUSED

The “Tailor Swif” rapper made sure to tell FN that he is just getting started.

“I feel like with every drop, we expand more creatively,” Rocky said. “We’re able to do more. We put out more silhouettes, more styles. And I’m learning from this experience. I’m learning how to be compatible with corporate America and try to get a cohesive flow. But, you know, 2025 is gonna be crazy. A lot of ideas that I was sitting on and trying to put out and produce, they’re gonna see the light of day in 2025. I’m so excited about that.”

As for what shoe style he’d like to get his hands on next, Rocky, without hesitation, said the Puma Cell sneaker. “Right now, it’s all about the Cell. The Cell series is crazy. I’m dying to get my hands on it and revise some of it.”

But until then, Rocky is thankful to be living out his dreams through his Puma collab. “We’re doing some interesting stuff together,” he said. “To be here living out my dreams and to have the world and my fans receptive to it, is all we do it for. And, you know, we attacked our competition in a way they didn’t see us coming,” he said. “That’s the best way to do it. By surprise.”

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.

A Closer Look at the A$AP Rocky x Puma Mostro 3D Sneaker, PHOTOS

View Gallery 13 Images

A major shift is coming for one of Europe’s top national soccer teams, as Puma has announced a new long-term agreement with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

The new partnership will begin in 2025, with Nike having outfitted Portugal since 1997. Under the new deal, Puma will equip Portugal’s men’s, women’s and youth teams in soccer, as well as the federation’s futsal, beach football and E-Sports teams.

Brazil has also been signed with Nike since 1997, and the only national teams with longer partnerships are The Netherlands (1996) and United Staes (1995).

“Signing a top-tier national team was one of our priorities in football and I am very excited to welcome a team as popular as Portugal to the PUMA Family,” Arne Freundt, Puma chief operation officer, said in a press release. “Given the large number of fans all over the world and the great potential of the next generation of this squad, we are looking forward to the upcoming big tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup.”

Fernando Gomes, president of the FPF, added: “We were attracted to PUMA because of the way in which they engage with the fans and tell the unique story of every team they work with. We look forward to creating an exciting range of products with them which will resonate with our large fan base all over the world.”

New product and creative direction for Puma and Portugal will be released in early 2025.

Portugal immediately becomes Puma’s top national team, as the German brand currently has deals in place with Austria, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Paraguay, Serbia and Switzerland. On the club side, Puma also outfits Manchester City, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Palmeiras and Olympique Marseille.

Puma’s flagship King soccer boot was made for legendary Portuguese national Eusébio, nicknamed “O Rei” or “The King,” when he played in the ’60s. Its current player roster includes Brazil’s Neymar Jr. and USA’s Christian Pulisic as two of its biggest stars.

2027 will bring an even more seismic shift to European soccer, as Nike will take over for Adidas in outfitting its own country of Germany.

Just last week, Nike reissued Portugal’s iconic Euro 2004 jerseys.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.