German sports apparel and footwear giant Puma has signed an official agreement with the Premier League, succeeding Nike in several key areas in the most-watched football league globally.
Puma x Premier League Partnership – Puma
The deal is part of Puma’s “strategy to elevate the brand and strengthen its sports performance credibility,” the company said in a release.
This landmark collaboration will see Puma become the official ball supplier of the Premier League, providing all match balls at all league matches from the start of the 2025/26 season in August.
Through this partnership, Puma will also support the Premier League across multiple initiatives, from community-based football programs that nurture grassroots talent to high-impact marketing campaigns and events such as the Premier League Summer Series, which will be hosted in the United States in July.
“The agreement with the Premier League, the most-watched football league in the world, is an important step in Puma’s brand elevation strategy,” said Puma CEO Arne Freundt.
“We look forward to bringing our performance technology to the forefront of the game and connecting with the many fans worldwide. With Puma’s ball at the center of attention during every match in this incredible league, we will create unforgettable moments for players and fans alike,” Freundt added.
Before Puma, the official Premier League match ball supplier had been its American rival, Nike.
Puma already holds a significant presence in the Premier League through its official partnership with Manchester City, the league’s titleholders, though currently lagging in fifth place behind league leaders Liverpool.
In addition, several top Premier League players, including Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jordan Pickford (Everton), and Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), are part of Puma’s roster of elite athletes. Moreover, its Puma FG, with its Formstrip side, worn by the great Diego Maradona, is possibly the most iconic football boot of all time.
Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Puma as the official ball supplier of the Premier League. Puma has a proud history of involvement in football over many years, and we look forward to seeing the new ball used at all our matches from this summer onwards.”
“Their global reach and commitment to excellence align with our values, and we are excited to work together on a range of projects to drive forward the incredible work taking place in communities and inspire fans worldwide,” Masters added.
Founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Puma distributes its products in over 120 countries. It boasts close to €9 billion in annual turnover and employs about 20,000 people.
New Look is set to relocate to a new 12,120 sq foot concept store at Bluewater mall in Kent on 3 April promising customers inspiration across digital, showroom and display formats.
Located on the Upper Thames Walk, the store will be the fashion retailer’s first omni-hub space “integrating new initiatives to streamline the customer journey”.
The upgraded space is a step forward from New Look’s £3 million investment into its Manchester stores, where it trialled new store designs “to improve product merchandising and better align the shopfloor to New Look’s brand identity”.
Customers will also be able to make use of a dedicated Service Hub “to improve collections and returns for a seamless shopping experience”.
Of course, the new store’s focus is also on providing an extensive range of womenswear and accessories, as well as a menswear showroom. An entire mezzanine floor will be dedicated to its tween/teen 915 collection, which showcases a range of casualwear, sportswear and accessories for girls aged 9-15. To celebrate the official 3-5 April opening period, New Look will be offering the first 200 customers goody bags for spending in-store. Surprise gift cards will also be hidden around the store and a DJ will perform for shoppers. Free incentives with every purchase will include a selection of coffee, bubble tea, and pink hot chocolate. Customers who also spend £50 will have the chance to win prizes from an in-store claw machine. One customer across each of the three days will be chosen at random to win a special shopping bag.
Elaine Cartwright, retail director at New Look, said: ‘Our decision to relocate and re design our Bluewater store demonstrates our commitment to bricks and mortar retailing in the UK & the important part stores play in our communities. Bluewater has been a major retail destination for some time, so showing up in this location with purpose and credibility is an important element of our retail portfolio strategy.”
James Waugh, centre director at Bluewater, added: “We are always looking for ways to elevate our offering so that we remain in step with the ever-evolving retail landscape. [The] relocation exemplifies the brand’s commitment providing Bluewater’s guests with the best possible shopping experience.”
Brands including Prada have cut ties with South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun amid controversy over his relationship with actress Kim Sae-ron who was found dead in February.
Prada
The 37-year-old actor who gained popularity in South Korea and China over his role in hit South Korean drama series “My Love from the Star” and “Queen of Tears” has been accused of dating Kim Sae-ron when she was underage in a YouTube expose, citing testimonies from the actress’ relatives.
Luxury fashion group Prada said it mutually decided to end its collaboration with Kim when asked in a client service chat on Monday. It did not elaborate further.
Dinto, a South Korean cosmetic brand, also announced it was ending its advertising contract with Kim.
“We have determined that there are substantial grounds rendering the fulfilment of the advertising contract unfeasible,” the company said in a statement on Saturday.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Goldmedalist referred to a statement given on Friday, when it denied claims that the two were in a relationship dating back to 2015 when Kim Sae-ron was a minor. She was also managed by the agency, but her contract was not renewed in 2022; the same year that she was involved in a drunk driving incident.
Goldmedalist also said Kim Soo-hyun, who has not commented directly, had been unfairly linked to Kim Sae-ron’s death.
Kim, who was 24 years old, was found dead at her home. Her career had suffered since the drunk driving incident, and local media reported that she was in debt and working part-time jobs to pay it off.
Goldmedalist said the actress owed the company around 0.7 billion won ($483,759.50) in damages and penalties as a result of the drunk driving case.
In 2024, Kim Sae-ron posted a photo of her with Kim Soo-hyun which was quickly deleted, prompting speculation that the two were a couple.
A lawyer representing the relatives of Kim Sae-ron said in a media briefing on Monday that the late actress had decided to post the photo in hopes of hearing back from Kim Soo-hyun.
Italian luxury footwear and accessories brand Santoni has opened a new flagship boutique at 667 Madison Avenue in New York City.
Santoni unveils new flagship boutique on Madison Avenue. – Santoni
Designed by architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, the boutique spans approximately 350 square meters and embodies an architectural concept inspired by the Chrysler Building’s iconic geometric shapes. It is characterized by a warm color palette featuring shades of orange, terracotta and rose with champagne brass details.
Spanning two levels, the boutique presents an airy ground floor with a six-meter-high backlit metal grid ceiling. Three-dimensional paneled walls contribute to a cohesive visual rhythm, while fine Italian marble including onyx and travertine complete consoles, shelves, and partitions. Footwear, small leather goods, and accessories are displayed alongside plush sofas and armchairs.
The lower level was designed to feel like an intimate lounge enveloped in the warm glow of mirrors, and houses the Bespoke Santoni area. Lastly, a dedicated artisanal workshop features a long Rosso Verona marble workbench where shoemakers repair, polish, and resole footwear.
“Opening our new flagship in New York, right on our 50th anniversary, is an extraordinary milestone. It was here, in 1997, that we opened our first boutique, marking the beginning of a story of innovation and growth,” said Santonit, president Giuseppe Santoni.
“Today, our journey extends far beyond men’s footwear, strongly embracing the women’s and accessories segments. An evolution that made a larger space necessary, one capable of embodying our vision and offering the customer not just a place to shop, but a true experience, an authentic encounter with our universe.”
The store opens with an exclusive capsule collection featuring men’s and women’s accessories. The capsule reimagines signature designs such as the Carter wholecut, the Vanguard briefcase, the Marta slingback, and a classic belt.