Salehe Bembury has reached impressive heights in the design world, transitioning from a Cole Haan footwear designer to leading Versace's footwear department, working with Ye on Yeezy Season collections, and establishing his name through various high-profile collaborations. Bembury has teamed up with brands like Clarks, New Balance, Crocs, Vans, Moncler, and Brandblack, bringing his distinctive design language to the forefront each time. Recently, Salehe took to Instagram, sparking curiosity and excitement among sneakerheads with a teaser hinting at his next big move: A Puma partnership.
Earlier this week, Salehe Bembury shared a photo on Instagram showing a box labeled Top Secret Puma Ideas with a Puma-branded plane in the background. This intriguing post hinted that Bembury might next work with the German footwear brand. The speculation was further fueled when Salehe posted photos of his visit to Puma HQ, where he was seen wearing an unseen piece of footwear.
While not officially confirmed as his next collaboration, the sneaker on Bembury's feet reflects his signature design elements. The most noticeable feature is the sole, which appears to incorporate his renowned 3D fingerprint design, a hallmark in his other collaborative efforts. The upper features a prominent Puma formstrip and multiple panels that add depth and dimension, all covered in white. Given the distant angle of the photo, specific details remain elusive, but the design language is unmistakably Bembury.
Following up on these teasers, Puma officially announced that Bembury is working on the next Puma Basketball silhouette. According to a press release from Puma, Salehe will also help recruit the next top athlete to the label's roster, which already includes the likes of LaMelo Ball and Breanna Stewart.
“My designs are a platform for storytelling and cultivating community; an opportunity to breathe new meaning into a product. While my work has been known to cater to the outdoor space, a space I recently developed an intimate relationship with, my partnership with PUMA Hoops will allow me to tell a more deeply rooted personal story,” shares Bembury, “As a 90’s kid from New York City, I’ve played basketball my whole life and have a deep history, emotion, and nostalgia for the sport. I’m excited to leverage this collaboration as a catalyst to introduce an untold side of me and engage a new community.”
Salehe Bembury’s first Puma Basketball collaboration has no set release date, though we should expect something to come from the duo between now and early 2025. Whenever the duo does drop their first product, expect a release through Bembury’s Be A Spunge website, Puma, and select retailers online and in-store. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Salehe Bembury
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
