At the beginning of July, there were various rumours circulating about Salehe Bembury potentially collaborating with PUMA. Now, just a few days later, on 29 July 2024, this collaboration has been confirmed. Salehe will be designing a new basketball shoe for PUMA.
Bembury is a well-known figure in the sneaker world. In his career, the designer has worked for brands such as YEEZY and Versace. In 2020, Bembury joined forces with New Balance and unveiled the New Balance 2002R 'Peace Be The Journey,' the first sneaker of a long-term collaboration.
In addition, Bembury has designed some silhouettes at Crocs, think the Crocs Pollex Clog and Crocs first sneaker, the Pollex Juniper. The next project is with PUMA, as Bembury revealed via his Instagram, where he previously posted a photo of a PUMA plane along with a sign reading "TOP SECRET PUMA IDEAS". A few days later, he shared a photo of a basketball, confirming that a new basketball shoe will be released.
Although details about the new PUMA shoe are still under wraps, we can expect a design that combines Bembury’s distinctive style with the demands of high-performance basketball. His previous work suggests that the shoe will be both eye-catching and functional.
In addition to designing the shoe, Bembury will also assist in selecting PUMA’s next basketball star. With his influence and connections in the basketball and fashion worlds, he is well-placed to discover and mentor new talent.
Looking at PUMA's upcoming projects, having Bembury on board (literally and figuratively) seems like the right move. Keep an eye on the Sneakerjagers release calendar for updates.
