Former Yeezy Designer Salehe Bembury Appointed Head Shoe Designer at Versace

During Milan Fashion Week, rumors were circulating throughout the fashion world that former YEEZY designer, Salehe Bembury would become the head of sneakers for Versace in which was later confirmed through his instragram that week. Most people know Bembury best for his contribution to Season 3 and 4 of the YEEZY collection, however what many don't know is his rise to become a sneaker designer through his passion for footwear as a young child. 

Just like any sneakerhead growing up, Bembury would wait and camp out overnight to for a pair of Air Jordans that he desperately wanted. Growing up in the Tribeca area of New York, Bembury was glued to the TV watching NBA with his father and loved to sketch designs in his scrap books. After studying design, Salehe went to Syracuse University to study industrial design which then led him to begin his first design job at Payless.

Although Payless isn't the ideal company for a creative designer to work at, he noticed that it was a great start to learn as much as he could about the industry and advance his skills. 

After Payless, Bembury landed his first major job as being assigned to the "Innovation" team for Cole Haan where he created the brands LunarGrand shoe. A classic men's work shoe that he designed to keep its casual esthetic with a hip colorway to the sole.

A shoe that you can wear to work feeling confident and stylish while still casual enough to avoid complaints from your boss for inappropriate attire. After three years of working at Cole Haan, he received a call from YEEZY in 2015 to be their men's foot wear designer which led to pack his bags and leave New York to become a Californian. 

Bembury took on the new job at YEEZY assisting designs for the Season 3 and 4 sneakers forming Kanye's ideas into reality. All while working at YEEZY, he also did a collaboration with Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss to create a funky loafer with a large blue block clay sole.

Through all of his designs since he was a kid sketching out ideas of sneakers to working for Kanye West, he eventually landed a job of life time this past week as head of the sneaker department for Versace. It is evident that Versace is looking to connect to a younger audience through Bembury's bright and innovative ideas. Hopefully we will see how the colorful minded creative adds his touch to the legendary Versace family's collection later this year.