From Industry Designer to Founder: Bembury’s Big Leap
Salehe Bembury spent more than a decade shaping sneakers behind the scenes — collaborating with major names like Versace, New Balance, Crocs and Puma. Those years of experience and creative evolution have culminated in a bold new ambition: his own independent footwear brand, SPUNGE. He launched it in 2025 with the debut sneaker, SPUNGE Osmosis the public’s first chance to wear “his vision,” unfiltered.
Osmosis is more than a sneaker; it’s a statement. Featuring Bembury’s signature organic aesthetic and a proprietary cushioning system called “Squish Tech,” the design blends performance, comfort and artistry. It drops in four debut colourways under a raffle-draw model, retailing at $150.
In announcing SPUNGE, Bembury explained that after 15 years in footwear design, he needed a platform where he had full creative agency — free from corporate constraints, able to build his own community and tell his own story.
Why SPUNGE’s Launch Feels Like a Watershed Moment
In a crowded sneaker and fashion world, SPUNGE stands out for three key reasons — aesthetic authenticity, creator-driven narrative, and timing.
Firstly, Bembury brings a distinctive style rooted in elemental textures and bold shapes. His work has already helped define major trends — from chunky luxury sneakers to design-forward streetwear. With SPUNGE, those instincts translate into “originals” rather than limited editions for other brands.
Secondly, this isn’t just about shoes. It’s about intellectual property, brand equity, and creative control. By founding SPUNGE, Bembury keeps design, messaging, and community-building in his own hands — a rarer path in an industry dominated by massive corporations.
Thirdly, the timing could not be stronger. As 2025 unfolds SPUNGE positions itself amidst rising consumer appetite for independent, designer-led sneakers — those blending lifestyle, art and functionality. With hype culture still thriving globally, a well-executed independent launch can gain traction quickly.
The Business Case: Why SPUNGE Could Be a Smart Long-Term Investment
Launching SPUNGE illustrates a powerful business principle: creator-controlled brands can yield outsized value when properly positioned.
With control over design, branding, and production, Bembury avoids outsourcing creative control to corporate parents. This means higher profit margins per unit, fewer constraints on innovation, and greater brand authenticity — all crucial advantages in a consumer environment increasingly valuing originality over mass production.
Moreover, the use of a raffle-draw release model for the Osmosis makes SPUNGE supply limited and demand elevated, which can support scarcity-driven resale value. For example, many independent sneaker releases from past years have resold for double or more of retail price shortly after launch. If SPUNGE follows that trend, the return on early pairs may be significant.
Finally, SPUNGE’s global roll-out — with distribution planned through influential retail partners across multiple continents — anchors it not just as a niche “hype” brand, but as a legitimate global footwear business.
According to analysis reviewed by CEO Today, new brands led by established creatives who own their intellectual property and manage their own brand equity tend to outperform comparable corporate-led launches, with revenue growth up to 25 % faster in the first five years.
For consumers and aspiring sneaker investors, that means SPUNGE may offer long-term value beyond aesthetic appeal: a credible bet on a brand built by design, not just marketing.
What’s Next — Watch Carefully But Expect Innovation
As SPUNGE prepares to deliver its first sneakers and build on early momentum, several questions will shape its long-term success: can Bembury scale production while preserving quality and brand identity? Will resale demand stay strong or fade after initial hype?
If SPUNGE balances creativity, supply discipline and broad retail reach, it could become a major name in footwear — not a flash-in-the-pan project, but a lasting brand rooted in design integrity, market savvy and cultural authenticity.
