A racing-inspired silhouette wrapped in roses sounds like a contradiction on paper, but seeing it in person makes the concept click instantly. Noir Kei Ninomiya didn't redraw the pattern this time—instead, the brand kept PUMA's classic Speedcat shape fully intact, then layered a raised, embossed rose motif across the upper. The material is semi-transparent, so when light passes through, the petals almost seem to glow.
The shoe first surfaced earlier this year on the runway during Noir Kei Ninomiya's Paris Fashion Week FW26 show, but this marks the full reveal of the three solid colorways: black, white, and red. The dense rose embossing on the upper extends all the way to a floral lace charm, while the leather tongue is stamped with the Noir Kei Ninomiya name. Look closely at the shoe and you'll notice PUMA's signature side stripe is still there—just tucked beneath the translucent rose layer, peeking through faintly. It reads as a quiet signature the duo left for the original brand.
Kei Ninomiya, the longtime experimental designer under Rei Kawakubo's wing, has clearly been picking up the pace lately. He just made his debut as creative director of DSM Kei Ninomiya—Dover Street Market's first in-house label—at Pitti Uomo 110, and now follows it up with this crossover into sneaker territory via the PUMA collaboration. From years of deconstructed tailoring to now tackling footwear, it's another step in his expanding creative footprint.
The PUMA x noir kei ninomiya Speedcat is currently available at noir kei ninomiya stores in Japan, with a rollout to global retailers planned starting this August. Pricing has yet to be announced.
