SPRAYGROUND CO-FOUNDER DAVID BENDAVID SHARES HOW HE TURNED HIS REBELLIOUS, STREET-INSPIRED BACKPACKS INTO A FULL LIFESTYLE BRAND.

David BenDavid on the move with a Sprayground duffel in hand PHOTO BY: STILL VIKA

In 2010, David BenDavid (@davidbendavid) introduced the Hello My Name Is backpack to the world. Deterred by the lifeless, boring backpacks and accessories currently on the market, he set out to bring edge, style and color into the category, saying goodbye to black and gray muted colors and hello to the colorful world of Sprayground (@sprayground). After initial success, he launched the Money Stacks backpack, which continued to validate the brand’s potential. With a unique model of limited-quantity production—once the product sells out, that’s it!—the collection drops immediately picked up buzz and cachet, attracting like-minded rebellious creatives to the brand.

“The reward finally came 10 years down the road after our initial launch and seeing our products on wonderful people’s backs all over the world,” notes BenDavid. “The good feeling that I got in 2010 was that I was creating a brand from scratch and had the opportunity to do it. A dream of mine was to create art and sell it, traveling the world.”

Sprayground’s backpacks bring the perfect edge and artistic touch to complete any look. PHOTO BY: STEVEN GOMILLION

Sprayground has allowed the young entrepreneur to do just that and expand the brand with full lifestyle offerings that span bags, luggage, apparel and gear. BenDavid has secured incredible partnerships to collaborate with brands on limited-edition drops, including the Miami Heat.

“That was definitely my favorite collaboration,” he notes. “We did several artistic bags with them, and I’m now creating exclusive designs for the store inside the arena.”

Another collaboration of prominence was with luxury automaker Porsche, which he shares was likely the most notable of all. Together, they created a custom backpack and duffel collection that will be available in all Porsche dealerships around the world.

Just this past winter, BenDavid and the Miami-based Sprayground team took to the anticipated Art Basel week to partner with Wynwood-based Museum of Graffiti at their Art Basel popup at The Confidante Miami Beach.

Sprayground backpack, tote and duffel PHOTO BY: JULIAN TAVERAS

Due to the incredible feedback, BenDavid plans to return to the sands for next year’s iteration, this time planning a special beach installation with a UFO theme.

As to what’s next for Sprayground, the creative hints that sneakers are on the horizon. He also has swimwear in the works and a design with electric mobility vehicles.

Although he’s propelling forward into the future at lightning speed, BenDavid still holds a special place in his heart for what catapulted the brand into the limelight in the first place—the backpack.

Sprayground founder BenDavid with a Sprayground backpack. PHOTO BY: VALERIE AMOR CASTILLA

Of course we want to know what the backpack king keeps in his personal bag, right?

“My bag and I go everywhere. Like twins,” he reveals. “You’ll likely find a book, some spiritual meditative vibes, a notebook and pen for ideas, water in a cooler bottle, some candy, a phone charger, sunglasses, sunscreen and a small towel that expands so I can always be beach ready!”