Step Inside the Factory Crafting an Iconic PUMA Suede

Tucked away in the heart of Leeds, the Charles F Stead factory has been tanning suede for over a century. It is one of the last remaining of its kind – a place where time settles into the walls, the tools, and the hands that work them. Inside, the process is considered and meticulous. Hides arrive raw, and are transformed through an intricate sequence of cutting, dyeing, buffing and brushing. Each stage is completed with patience and precision, and often guided by touch rather than tech .

Among those hands are father-and-son suede finishers Gary and Richard Butterfield, who represent the third and fourth generations of their family's knowledge. The premium suede that leaves this building often goes on to become part of something truly special. For PUMA, a brand with its own deep roots in athletic and street culture, the choice of Charles F Stead suede for their premium, special-edition models is a deliberate one. The material's distinct texture and vibrant colour possibilities lend an undeniably luxe feel, a direct reflection of the Big Cat’s unwavering commitment to high-calibre and timeless materials while bringing processes full circle, back to classic ways of working.
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