PUMA Channels Alexander McQueen with Speedcat Mid Sneaker Wedge

PUMA Sportstyle has had a hit with the Speedcat, a motorsports-inspired design from 1999. Although the silhouette's standard build continues being its most popular, the racing-informed model has undergone a number of modifications over the years. From balletcore reworks to summer-friendly updates, the Speedcat boasts a versatile catalog which now includes mid-top sneaker wedge.

Earlier in the year, New York-based designer LaQuan Smith reimagined the PUMA Speedcat as a high-top boxing boot of sorts. Much of the sneaker's identity was kept intact, although Smith's touch could've easily been mistaken for a new product franchise. Similarly, the newly-surfaced (presumably titled) Speedcat Mid Wedge couples performance heritage with fashion sensibilities. The result is an eye-catching, nostalgic footwear model that evokes Isabel Marant's iconic Bekett from the 2010s. Sneaker wedges/heels became the it girl choice of footwear, leading brands across the globe to deliver their own takes on the style. PUMA joined the mix with the help of Alexander McQueen.

The British designer and his eponymous label joined forces with PUMA in 2005, bringing an air of elegance to the German sportswear institution. McQueen's designs were beloved by those "in the know," and his posthumous Joustesse Mid Wedge was no different.

While widely forgotten now, the decade-old design laid the blueprint for the impending mid-top PUMA Speedcat. The ultra-bulbous collar panels, lockdown strap across the top of the foot, and curved heel area deliver a familiar aesthetic that's sure to be adopted by today's it girls.

Enjoy official photos of the Speedcat Mid Wedge ahead. Two inaugural styles—brown and beige—are expected to release via PUMA.com soon, with more colorways landing throughout the holidays. Pricing hasn't been confirmed, but anticipate the hybrid design to retail for around $150.

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