Since leaving his roles at Yeezy, Cole Haan, and Versace, Salehe Bembury has become a household name through collaborations across the footwear world. While much of this can be credited to his work with Crocs, with whom he runs the Crocs Pollex Pod Collection, his projects with New Balance come in second place. Mirroring how he started last year with a New Balance release, the two 1906Rs, Heat Be Hot, and Heat Be Hot Lava, Bembury is giving us his first take on the Steven Smith-designed New Balance 1500 Made in UK.
Unlike his previewed 991v2 Made in UK, this pair opts for a more neutral color scheme that would appear like most inline colorways of the 1500 if it wasn’t for the Salehe Bembury branded features. A premium pigskin suede in olive grey lands along the mudguard, midfoot, and heel, while the mesh along the toe and tongue comes in a metallic silver finish. More olive grey is present on the laces and the leather overlay along the tongue, playing host to yellow Salehe Bembury and New Balance text.
The branding for Salehe is reserved for the tongue, as the midfoot’s N logo, NB logo on the heel, and 1500 text remain in place without any changes. A more true grey shade finds its home on the collar, contrasting the darker grey of the sockliner. Below, the model comes with the traditional 1500 tooling, opting for a vintage cream finish alongside pops of orange, purple, and brown on certain portions. Finishing the design is the blue, grey, and black outsole.
The Salehe Bembury x New Balance 1500 Made in UK Growth Be The Tree will release February 6, 2025, through Salehe's Be A Spunge website. Expect a wider release via New Balance and select retialers to come at a later date. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $275. 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 A Ma Maniere
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
