Salehe Bembury and PUMA Launch Velum 2 Sneaker

Designer Salehe Bembury and PUMA have collaborated to release the Velum 2, an updated iteration of their original Velum silhouette. This new model, set to launch on September 3, builds upon the design language established by the first Velum, which debuted in Summer 2025. Bembury described his approach to the Velum 2 as an evolution, aiming to refine and exaggerate elements of the original design while introducing new features without compromising its core identity. The Velum 2 maintains the tooling and visual DNA of its predecessor, with a particular focus on evolving the upper construction. The sneaker features a layered upper incorporating amorphous overlays and translucent mesh, offering a more dynamic aesthetic compared to the Velum 1's sleek taping and webbing. A distinctive design element is the embossed fingerprint texture, prominently featured on the tongue and the sculptural midsoles, which are carried over from the original model. This fingerprint motif, a signature of Bembury's design work, is also applied to PUMA's wordmark on the tongue and lateral heel, reimagined in Bembury's unique texture. The designer's own wordmark is subtly integrated, printed onto the shoe. Internally, the Velum 2 incorporates NITROFOAM cushioning, a technology developed by PUMA known for providing lightweight responsiveness and comfort, balancing the shoe's bold stylistic elements with performance capabilities. The sneaker will be available in two colorways: "Terracotta" and "Alloy." Bembury emphasized that the goal was to alter the shoe's personality and perception significantly without altering its foundational structure. He stated in an exclusive interview with Hypebeast that the Velum 2 provides an opportunity to "resolve others, and introduce something new without losing the identity that made the original recognizable." This iterative design process ensures that the Velum 2 is immediately understandable as a successor to the Velum 1, while also justifying its existence through distinct enhancements and a more aggressive visual presentation. The collaboration between Salehe Bembury and PUMA continues to explore the intersection of high-fashion design and athletic footwear, with the Velum 2 representing a refined expression of their shared creative vision.