New Balance Blog

This Monday 12/4, Crooked Tongues’ Villainy series will be released for sale via their online store at 4pm GMT (8am PST - to find the time in your zone check here). Priced at GBP 150 (about USD $300) they are hella spendy for NB’s but the materials, details, concept, design and packaging is clearly a cut above. Unfortunately I’m pretty sure I remember reading that the sizes only go up to 12 which means I am shut out. It’s a sizeist conspiracy! Oh well, enjoy ‘em.

Edit — yup, available US sizes are 8, 9, 10, 10 1/2, 11, 11 1/2, 12.

“A final announcement on our ‘Confederation Of Villainy’ pack with New Balance. Each shoe will be 150gbp and they’ll be strictly limited to 99 pairs of each. All 4 shoes will be going on sale on Monday December 4th at 4pm GMT exclusively from the Crooked store. Premium leathers and suedes, a ton of tiny details like the white eyelet and tongue tags on each pair and of course, the custom slide boxes - made to our specifications, and illustrated by BJ Betts, with some incredible artwork, printed on heavy duty stock. Ain’t no half-stepping round these parts. Shipping is free in the UK, and just to reiterate, these shoes won’t be available anywhere else….”

Here’s the final round of graphic design pr0n.. mmmm…

“After Crooked set a standard for New Balance collaborations in 2004, with four limited edition 576s, after the hiatus that followed the Solebox collaborating 1500 in early ‘05, the sneaker landscape has changed and it takes a little more to stand out in a sea of overcooked, loveless gangbangs between brands. Crooked’s relationship with New Balance’s Flimby HQ has been tight and Winter 2006 seemed the right time to drop more gems.

Rather than clambering for a concept that hasn’t already been done to death, they wanted to make quality and attention to detail the focal point. Between four models - collaborative favourites, the 1500, 577 and 575, plus debuting with its very own custom sole unit for this special edition, the 991, these UK made shoes have been overseen so that every stitch, leather, fabric and stealthy dose of 3M is as requested. Each model is linked by use of an eyecatching highlight colour - red, yellow, blue and green, a white metal top eyelet and a custom tongue label.

Of course, with the original Crooked Tongues /New Balance pieces setting precedents, there was a need to take the project even further to ensure sleepless nights for anyone following this drop. Call it self-indulgence, but for all at Crooked Tongues, this was designed with them in mind, under the faintly arrogant notion that they’re on the same wavelength as the discerning heads, disillusioned by weak drops that cause a momentary palpitation, but ultimately lead down the slippery slope to buyers remorse. Generic packaging has led to a wall of faceless browns, reds and blues and special packaging can cement classic status on the spot.

Operating under the team name of ‘Confederation Of Villainy’ the box art takes it back to a time when villains were occasionally charming, often brutal, but memorable in their wrongdoing. Reflecting the nationality of the crew member in charge of the makeup - the 575 is represented by the gentleman robber of the Old West, Black Bart, the 577 by Chinese bandit Black Sword, the 1500 by scourge of the seas Blackbeard and the 991 by the feared highwayman Black Tom. Custom box artwork by tattoo artist and graphic designer BJ Betts, as well as premium stock makes this the logical conclusion of a Crooked Tongues quest for some of the nicest sneaker packaging to date to cap this intelligent collaboration. Limited to 99 pairs of each model, the ‘Confederation Of Villainy’ rides into town in December 2006, only from the Crooked Tongues store.

In response to several queries, the shoes are available in the following US sizes (just remember that according to the labels, New Balance US sizes are half a size, rather than a whole size bigger than UK sizes. For example, a US 9 1/2 is a UK 9) - 8, 9, 10, 10 1/2, 11, 11 1/2 and 12.”

Via CT

London’s Crooked Tongues has done four shoes with New Balance as part of a “Confederacy of Villainy” series, limited to 99 pairs each with custom packaging. The first is a 1500 inspired by Black Beard; the remaining three will be revealed over the next three days. Badness! Villainy, feel him in ya heart chakra chart toppa / Star shit stoppa be a smart shoppa…

“Over the next week we’ll reveal our latest collaboration with New Balance - the ‘Confederacy Of Villainy’. One shoe each day for the next four days allowing you the opportunity to see each shoe on it’s own merit.

The technical running shoe that’s earnt its rightful place in the hearts of heads worldwide is a prime candidate for some collaborative action, so it took a little more to make the 1500 stand-out after some tight partnerships using this premium performance silhouette. Using a mixture of leather and mesh there’s a few asides to the original construction of this shoe, before the animal hides took over entirely. A mix of black, white and grey plus a nicely-timed burst of very flouro red reflects the villain the shoe was themed after - Blackbeard, the hollow-point bad-boy of piracy who allegedly upped the fear factor by rocking lit matches in his beard. Given the dark subject matter, a black midsole was incorporated - it was relevant, so we’re unapologetic to the white sole faithful!

While we’re on-topic, there’s plenty of other details on board - a dose of contrast stitching, both white and red and in line with this 1500’s three villainous brethren, a white metal eyelet, and finally a unique tongue label that will only ever grace these four models. And then there’s the packaging. Working with BJ Betts, there’s some premium pirate skull action at work that should impress those bored with the generic boxes stacked in their closets. It’s been a helluva lot of work and cost, but in the years since ’04’s first wave of CT/New Balance collabos, the stakes have been well and truly raised. As confirmed last week, these are limited to 99 pairs on sale exclusively via the site in early December… “

Via HighSnobiety

Just got the blast from Hanon that they’ve released a set of the three “Flimby Heroes” Centenary kicks along with a book, stamp set and toys modeled after the three Flimby workers.  This is limited to SIX sets only!

This weekend we launch a limited edition New Balance Centenary set.

New Balance celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2006 and to mark the milestone have released a commemorative footwear collection. This weekend in conjunction with NB we will be releasing six Centenary sets. Each will comprise of all three models - the M1500IB Ian, M670VD Victor and M577AS ‘Audrey as well as a special edition hardback book and all bonus accessory additons

The book is especially desirable as it is not available for resale but created solely for inhouse promotion. Released for the centenary and finished with a plush hardback cover it charts 100 years of the New Balance company. All footwear models are featured in detail as well as classic advertisements, company history, production and ethos, and striking archive photography from sporting events throughout the years.

The Centenary Set (6 pieces only)

• M670VD Victor
• M1500IB Ian
• M577AS Audrey
• Hardback Centenary book ‘Enduring Performance The New Balance Story’
• Collectable Playmobil toys
• Stamp Set

The sets will be priced at £239.95

For the first 3 orders we have a ‘3 widths mug set set’ set to give away.

The New Balance Centenary set will go live this Saturday November 11th at 1pm (UK)

Previously:
Centenary (100 Years) Edition - 577, 670, 1500

Update: Now also at Overkill, Berlin.

This one has arrived at End Clothing UK who mention that it comes with two sets of laces- maroon and fluorescent yellow. Here are some more pics from their site…

Via End

New NB 1500 models now available at Hanon’s online shop. Both are classy but I am really feeling the sand/brown/green combo!!

New Balance M1500 PPG (Purple)

New Balance M1500 BBE (Sand)

Via Hanon

Now available at Overkill Shop!

“Hard to believe that New Balance are celebrating their 100th anniversary since 1906. Due to this birthday New Balance is dedicating three limited editions to their three oldest employees. Audrey Stewart, Ian Byers and Victor Dixon are working in the New Balance UK factories in Flimby for more than 70 years now. That is why they are called the “Flimby Heroes” and are depicted on the inside shoe.

The three best shapes were chosen: 1500, 670 and 577. Each of them in the original colours and in their unique retro style. This is a true hommage to those who are working hard for the success of the quality brand.”

Each is limited to 1906 pairs worldwide.

1500 IAN BYERS
Ian Byers offers his services as a “toe and side laster” since 1982. Now one of the finest incarnations from the 1500 is brought by him to you.

NB 577 AUDREY STEWART
Audrey Stewart working for 25 years in the department for sewings and is the oldest employee. She would never have dreamt of being involved in this special way for celebrating the 100th anniversary. Now one of the finest incarnations from the 577 is brought by her to you.

NB 670 VICTOR DIXON
Victor Dixon as well is on board since 1982 and had the honour to create Bryn Robsons football shoes. Now one of the finest incarnations from the 670 is brought by him to you.

via Overkill Shop (thanks Oli!)

Wow did I completely flake on posting this in time but Solebox dropped their 1500 Purple Devil 3 today. 300 pairs sold out already. Congrats to those who copped em.

Via Freshness via Solebox

German shop, Overkill has a nice selection of British 1500s in bold, new-school colors. Personally the regular 1500 is one of my favorite models because it’s light yet rigid.. with these they seem to be going for more of a supple, premium feel and the quality is amazing.

Pictured are 1500BBW (beige suede & mesh/olive leather/orange trim), 1500GB (black & orange leather/white mesh), 1500NBO (dark blue suede/orange leather/light blue mesh), 1500TB (black suede/brown & white leather/beige mesh) and 1500NYG (grey suede/black leather).

Out here in the Bay Area I got my green and orange joints through my good friends Turf in San Mateo. The leather is crazy soft and comfy. This one is considered Tier 1 in the states as I believe the rest would be if they sell here. I’m also again feeling the black/orange combo.. just in time for Halloween.. and the brown/black/whites are CLASS.. I’m rocking these to the horse races.

1500BBW (beige/olive/orange)

1500TB (black/brown)
1500GB (black/orange)

1500NBO (dark blue/orange), 1500NYG (black/white)

Via Overkill and Turf