Salehe Bembury’s Emotional Journey: The Launch of the Puma Hali 1 Basketball Shoe
In a poignant moment that resonated deeply within the sneaker community, designer Salehe Bembury experienced a wave of emotion as he witnessed NBA star Tyrese Haliburton donning the Puma Hali 1 basketball shoes he designed. This moment unfolded before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, where Bembury’s childhood dreams materialized in front of him. The tears flowed not when Haliburton stepped onto the court, but as Bembury spotted him stretching in the tunnel, a sight that encapsulated years of hard work and aspiration.
A Designer’s Journey Rooted in Basketball
Bembury’s passion for sneakers began in his youth, much like many sneaker enthusiasts. His journey has taken him from a young boy captivated by basketball to a highly sought-after designer, collaborating with brands like Puma, Crocs, and New Balance. However, one significant milestone eluded him until now: creating a performance basketball shoe.
“I wept because it was my eight-year-old self finally accomplishing what I always wanted to accomplish in my career,” Bembury shared in a recent interview with Footwear News.
The Significance of the Puma Hali 1
The Puma Hali 1 represents a significant achievement for both Bembury and Haliburton, who joins a select group of NBA players with signature shoes. This launch also marks a pivotal moment for Puma, which has been working to re-establish its presence in the basketball market since its 2018 relaunch. The brand’s initial efforts, led by Jay-Z, faced challenges, but it has since gained traction with models designed for stars like Breanna Stewart and LaMelo Ball, the latter of whom has garnered a strong following among Gen Z consumers.
Puma announced that the Hali 1 will be available for purchase on September 26, priced at $130. To celebrate the launch, the brand will host a “Hali Mart” pop-up event in Indianapolis, offering 317 pairs of the shoes-an homage to the city’s area code.
A Collaborative Design Process
Bembury emphasizes that the Hali 1 is not merely a “Salehe Bembury” shoe; it is a Tyrese Haliburton shoe designed by him. The shoe features what Bembury describes as “organic squiggles” on the midsole, a design element that reflects Haliburton’s smooth playing style. This unique touch was added towards the end of the design process, showcasing the collaborative nature of their partnership.
The design process began with a focus on fit, a crucial aspect of performance footwear. Bembury and the Puma team discovered that the Puma cat logo fit seamlessly beneath the collar, enhancing the shoe’s aesthetic appeal.
Performance Meets Personalization
Haliburton’s primary request was for the shoe to match the weight of his previous footwear. While Bembury refrains from naming specific models, data from Kixstats indicates that Haliburton frequently wore the Nike Kobe 8 prior to his partnership with Puma. In a unique final wear test, Haliburton was blindfolded and asked to identify his old go-to shoe versus the Hali 1. Interestingly, he chose incorrectly, highlighting the shoe’s successful design.
Bembury faced numerous challenges in this project, particularly in balancing his creative vision with the technical demands of performance footwear. He leaned on Puma’s in-house experts to navigate this new territory, acknowledging the importance of collaboration in achieving the best results.
“I’m a really big believer in speaking up and being outspoken about the things I have expertise in,” Bembury stated. “And then within the things I don’t, allowing those in the room that have that expertise to shine bright.”
Navigating Rivalries and Friendships
An additional layer of complexity arose from the fact that Haliburton plays for the Indiana Pacers, a team that has historically been a rival to Bembury’s beloved New York Knicks. Haliburton’s impressive performance against the Knicks in the 2024 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals solidified his status in Bembury’s eyes. Despite their competitive backgrounds, the two have developed a friendship that transcends team loyalties.
“At the end of the day, this partnership takes priority over some childhood fandom that I have,” Bembury remarked. “I will always be a Knicks fan, but this is my career and Tyrese’s career. So this is taking precedence over some entertainment that I enjoy from time to time.”
The Hali 1: A Blend of Performance and Lifestyle
The Hali 1 is part of a broader trend in basketball sneakers that are reclaiming their lifestyle appeal after years of being strictly performance-oriented. While Bembury has a keen eye for everyday wear, he insists that a player’s performance in a shoe ultimately drives its desirability among consumers.
He cites iconic moments in basketball history, such as Vince Carter’s “Dunk of Death” and Allen Iverson’s legendary crossover, as pivotal events that elevate a shoe’s status. Bembury himself experienced a moment of triumph when Haliburton made a game-winning shot in the Hali 1 during the NBA Finals opening game.
“It’s the moments like that that you cannot write or predict,” Bembury said, “but they will give the shoe or the product momentum.”
Conclusion
The launch of the Puma Hali 1 is not just a milestone for Salehe Bembury and Tyrese Haliburton; it represents a significant moment in the sneaker industry, blending performance with lifestyle appeal. As Puma continues to carve out its niche in the competitive basketball market, the Hali 1 stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and the emotional connections that sneakers can foster. With its official release on the horizon, sneaker enthusiasts and basketball fans alike eagerly await the impact this shoe will have on the court and beyond.
