Crocs Names Steven Smith as Head of Creative Innovation

Crocs has appointed veteran footwear designer Steven Smith as the brand’s head of creative innovation. News of the appointment was reported by Footwear News today.

According to the aforementioned publication, Smith will design footwear for both the Crocs and Hey Dude brands in his new role while supervising the creation of upcoming silhouettes. Smith will enter his role with the brand on Dec. 2.

“Since our inception we have prided ourselves in being a disruptor in the category and for pushing the envelope on product innovation,” Crocs brand president, Anne Mehlman, said in a statement. “That is one of the many reasons that we are thrilled to be adding Steven Smith, a true icon in the footwear industry, to our talented design teams. I can’t wait to see what we create together as he brings his unique creative vision to Crocs, Inc.”

In the last decade, Smith worked with Ye under his Adidas Yeezy line that birthed models like the Yeezy Boost 700 and the Yeezy Powerphase before becoming head of industrial design for Ye’s Donda brand in 2022.

Aside from his work with Ye and Yeezy, Smith has worked with New Balance, Nike, Fila, Reebok, and more. Smith has designed a number of iconic models throughout his long career, which include the New Balance 574, the Reebok Insta Pump Fury, the Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Caged 2, and more.