Salehe Bembury’s Spunge Osmosis Soka Proves He Can Still Outdo Himself

There’s no doubt that Salehe Bembury is one of the most innovative designers in the sneaker world right now. Whether he’s collaborating with Crocs, New Balance, or Puma, the New York-based multi-hyphenate continues to craft designs that feel instantly recognizable yet completely original. So when he famously turned down a Nike contract to go solo, you just knew he was going to take things up a notch with creations like the Spunge Osmosis Soka – a sneaker that perfectly captures his signature fusion of organic inspiration and futuristic design.

Founded in 2020, Spunge is Bembury’s own creative playground – a label that blurs the lines between footwear, fashion, and art. It’s where he channels his fascination with textures, terrains, and tactile storytelling, drawing heavily from nature’s irregular beauty. The name itself references absorption and growth – fitting for a designer who soaks up influences from the natural world, architecture, and street culture, then filters them through his unmistakable aesthetic.

The Osmosis embodies that ethos perfectly. Inspired by organic forms and the movement of nature, the Soka colorway works atop a soft yellow mesh base overlaid with vivid blue neoprene panels, resulting in an aquatic, almost coral-like aesthetic. Matching cotton laces tie everything together, while a mauve sculpted midsole, one that’s definitely not for trypophobes, adds Bembury’s signature textural flair. Underfoot, a rugged rubber outsole provides traction and stability, ensuring the shoe performs as well as it looks.

Since going independent, Bembury has proven that he doesn’t need a sportswear giant to make waves. His previous Osmosis colorways have sold out in seconds, a testament to both his loyal fanbase and his creative genius. Free from the limitations of corporate direction, his work now feels more personal and more rooted in storytelling than ever before – the kind of visionary design that keeps redefining what sneakers can be.

The Spunge Osmosis Soka will release exclusively at ComplexCon Las Vegas from October 25 to October 26, 2025, priced at $150. It’s bound to be a tough cop, so for your best shot, make sure to download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Adam Cheung

Adam Cheung is a writer and editor who specialises in sneakers and streetwear. Over the past few years, he's curated features and guides for everyone from Burberry to Nike. Often travelling between the UK and Hong Kong, don't be too surprised if you find Adam anywhere else around the world taking street photography or feasting on the local delicacies.