One of the most influential celebrity sneaker collabs of the modern era has officially reached its end peeps. After a boom, a dip, and then a comeback, the Rihanna Puma partnership is no more. This poses a question: Is this breakup long overdue or not? Well, we’re gonna dive into it all to answer the question. So today, we’re gonna do a quick recap of this deal, as well as discuss what the future holds for Fenty in the post-Puma era! Let’s jump into it all, shall we?
Here’s What Went Down with the Rihanna Puma Partnership!
On May 20th, 2026, news broke out that the long-running Rihanna Puma partnership reached its end. This means the brands are closing the chapter on a collaboration that helped reshape both Puma’s identity and the relationship between fashion and sneaker culture.
Rihanna first partnered with Puma in 2014 as the brand’s Creative Director for womenswear before launching the hugely successful FENTY x PUMA line. What followed was a run of footwear and apparel releases that pushed Puma back into the center of sneaker conversations during the mid-to-late 2010s. Now, here’s a quick recap of the whole Riri x Puma collab!
The Rihanna Puma Partnership Changed Puma’s Direction
When Rihanna joined Puma in 2014, the brand was still looking for a stronger foothold in hype culture. The success of the FENTY x PUMA collections quickly shifted that momentum. The Puma Creeper became one of the biggest sneaker releases of its era, blending punk-inspired platform styling with classic Puma Suede DNA. Demand exploded almost immediately, with many colorways selling out instantly and gaining strong resale value during the height of the collaboration.
Fast forward to 2018, and we got the last installation of the first wave. However, the Rihanna Puma partnership came back strong in 2023 with more collaborative drops! However, this comeback failed to capture the same energy that we experienced in the mid 2010s. And all that led to this day, where the brands decided to part ways. But what does the future hold for Riri and the sneaker industry?
Speculation Around a Potential Nike Partnership
With the Puma partnership now officially over, sneaker fans have already started speculating about what Rihanna will do next. One of the biggest rumors circulating online involves the possibility of a future collaboration with Nike. Why? Because she was rocking the Nike Moon Shoe by Jacquemus! Now, that’s no indicator, especially since now she has the freedom to rep anything.
But while there is currently no official information, the speculation makes sense given her influence across industries. Nike has continued expanding its roster of artist and celebrity collaborators over the years, as well as focusing on women-centered drops. And Rihanna’s track record with FENTY x PUMA proves she can drive both hype and long-term product success. Keep it locked on our blog for more news as they develop. Godspeed!
