How to Think like a Sneaker Designer | Salehe Bembury and Cloe Shasha Brooks | TED (Level 1)

Salehe Bembury is a shoe designer. He made Crocs popular again with a clog called the Crocs Pollex. The shoe is shaped from his own fingerprint. Crocs wanted to send him shoes, but he asked to work together. He kept the classic Crocs look and added his own style. He started at Payless in 2009 and later worked with brands like New Balance, Cole Haan, and Versace. Now he runs his own brand, Spunge. Once, he was unemployed and eating cereal. He sent a LinkedIn message to a Versace director. He said fashion brands could make sneakers. Donatella Versace liked his ideas, so he went to Milan and got the job. He asked to work in Los Angeles and visit Milan monthly. She agreed. This shows the power of asking. Salehe makes shoes with stories. One New Balance shoe has a whistle on the heel for safety on hikes. He even designs the shoe boxes because every part of a product matters. As a child, he made a shoe from clay. He still feels that excitement. He says it is important to avoid distractions so creative ideas can come.