Salehe Bembury, the renowned footwear designer who has worked with the likes of Yeezy, Cole Haan, and Versace, has just inked a two-year extension with frequent collaborator Crocs, and will now take on the role of Creative Director of the Crocs x Pollex Pod Collection.
First working with Crocs on the now-iconic Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Clog in 2021, Bembury introduced the world to a slew of colorways on the model that was met with warm reception. The design featured a fusion of Crocs' comfortable EVA foam-based Classic Clog and his fingerprint, which inspired the 3D ridges throughout the silhouette. In 2022 alone, the duo released seven different colorways of the model that were (mostly) instant sellouts through Crocs and Salehe Bembury’s beaspunge.com. Recently, Bembury teased what will likely be a part of this new Crocs x Pollex Pod Collection with the Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Slide “Citrus Milk.” Other silhouettes have yet to be announced, though they will continue to “explore how Bembury’s signature fingerprint comes to life in 3D form.”
Michelle Poole, Crocs Brand President, said regarding their partnership with Salehe Bembury, “We are very proud of what we have been able to create in partnership with Salehe. His unique approach to design has brought a fresh perspective to our molded form and enabled us to connect with new consumers. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue this partnership and extend into dynamic new silhouettes.”
This excitement for a continuation of the partnership is also shared by Bembury, who stated, “We exist in a landscape of 'here today, gone tomorrow' collaborations, so the value lies in long-term relationships and that's what we've established. Good design exercises restraint and balances utility with beauty and the Pollex Pod represents that by successfully merging Crocs' brand identity with my own brand identity.”
We can expect to see Salehe and Crocs cook up new silhouettes and colorways across various models (the Pollex Clog and Pollex Slide included) over the next two years as a part of the Pollex Pod Collection. Details regarding the first product launch apart of this collection will come later this summer. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay up-to-date on Crocs and Bembury’s Pollex Pod Collection and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
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