Sprayground is seeing significant growth in the resale market, outperforming legacy brands like Nike and Supreme in the accessories category on StockX with a reported +287% year-over-year increase.
Behind that growth is founder David BenDavid, a Bronx-born designer whose creative foundation was shaped early. Growing up surrounded by art, music, and street culture, he describes his environment as formative to how he sees the world today. “I grew up in an environment where creativity wasn’t optional, it was survival,” he said in a recent interview. “The Bronx gave me raw exposure to movement, sound, energy, and expression all happening at once. That chaos taught me how to see patterns, how to build identity, and how to create with intention.” That influence remains central to his work, which he describes as “structured chaos with purpose.”
BenDavid studied graphic design at the School of Visual Arts before launching Sprayground in 2010, after identifying a gap in the backpack market. Early designs like the “Hello My Name Is” backpack quickly gained traction and became widely recognized, worn organically by artists and public figures including Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, Paris Hilton, and Billie Eilish. The visibility came without paid placement, helping establish the brand’s presence across music, fashion, and pop culture.
That early traction, BenDavid says, came down to a clear creative stance. “The early support came from authenticity. We weren’t following trends—we were expressing a clear point of view. Culture recognizes honesty before anything else. When something is real, it travels organically.”
Before that recognition, building the brand came with uncertainty. Without external validation, BenDavid relied on consistency and belief in his direction. “Before the brand had recognition, there were constant moments of uncertainty. Building something from nothing requires conviction when there is no validation,” he says. “My upbringing taught me resilience and belief in my vision even when the outcome wasn’t clear. That discipline is what carried me through.”
As the brand expanded, storytelling became a core part of how Sprayground connects with its audience. BenDavid sees the brand as an extension of his own perspective. “Sprayground is a direct extension of my perspective. Every drop is intentional, from concept to execution. Storytelling is not an add-on, it’s the core of how we design and build connection with our audience.”
Now, as Sprayground expands into categories like sneakers, watches, and eyewear—and recently debuted at London Fashion Week—BenDavid remains focused on maintaining that foundation while growing the brand globally. “There’s a responsibility to honor where it all started,” he says. “Expansion isn’t about leaving that behind, it’s about amplifying it. The roots stay grounded while the vision expands outward.”