How Michael Schumacher’s Shoe Ended Up In Dua Lipa’s Wardrobe

An iconic silhouette in the motorsport world, the PUMA Speedcat is now finding a home in the fashion world.

As fashion continues its love affair with Y2K Nostalgia, we are seeing a footwear trend that, surprisingly, has its roots in Formula 1. Worn by the likes of Michael Schumacher, fashion's favourite shoe was designed “to shave milliseconds off lap times” but now graces the wardrobes of some of the most influential names in pop culture. I’m talking about, of course, the PUMA Speedcat.

In 2025, lower profile, narrower silhouettes have been taking over the trainer landscape - think the Onitsuka Tiger or the Adidas Tokyo - and one in particular has risen above the rest; the PUMA Speedcat. Once the sole domain (no pun intended) of the racing driver in the paddock, the popularity of the Speedcat has exploded since its relaunch in 2024, with everyone who is anyone in the world of fashion queuing up to endorse the shoe and elevate it to must-have status.

Music artist Rosé is among those who have signed up to the PUMA Speedcat fan club. Photo by PUMA

So, how did we get here?

PUMA has been crafting specialised shoes for racing drivers since the 1980s. However, these initial models were only created in collaboration with the drivers themselves and were purely for safety and performance. They were never released in any commercial capacity. This changed in 1999 when PUMA, in collaboration with Sparco, produced their first Formula 1 team shoes for Jordan. Shortly after, in 2000, the first Speedcat lifestyle shoes were launched. In the following years, leading drivers such as Michael Schumacher, who was driving for PUMA’s long-term partner, Ferrari, were rocking the shoes at the track and on the streets.