New Balance Blog

High Snobiety reports:

“We’re proud to present you the first collaboration between New Balance and Thomas I Punkt. Their goal was to design a running shoe for people who like a fresh, new look and appreciate the little details. For this project they chose the New Balance 577, simply because it is a classic.

Everything started with a combination of grey heather sweat fabric and white full grain leather. New Balance exclusively fabricated an all white midsole and a heelcab with a light grey outsole. Each version carries a silkscreen dot pattern print.

The flaglabel on the tongue shows the skyline of the city of Hamburg, Germany, home of Thomas I Punkt. We love how the purple heel, the coloured stitching, the New Balance logo and the flaglabel perfectly fit together. They also decided to use a leather layer on the inside of the shoe to make it even more comfortable.

The white edition is limited to 120 pairs and the dots edition is limited to 74 pairs. Both shoes are numbered and come with two different laces and an I-Punkt dot pattern bandana. The sneakers will be released at Thomas I Punkt on 30th of June.”

The plot thickens! Here’s the second leaked pic of the forthcoming NB collaboration with Sweden’s Sneakersnstuff. Expect these to drop in mid-to-late August.

Looks like Erik’s colorway on the left and Peter’s on the right..?

Previously on NBB

Via SlamXHype

SlamXHype reports that Sneakersnstuff (SNS) over in Stockholm, Sweden have leaked a couple of pics of a forthcoming collab with New Balance. SXH’s guess is a 577 and I’d be inclined to agree b/c of the distinctive shape between the toebox and the N.

You can sign up for news alerts on this particular release here.

Sneakersnstuff’s Peter x NB 577

Sneakersnstuff’s Erik x NB 577

Big congrats to SNKR FRKR forum member Alex Gibson who won a NB UK design contest, scooping up a pair of custom 577’s and a trip to the Flimby factory — massive!

Members of the site Sneaker Freaker won the New Balance design contest. As contest winners they got a trip to the New Balance Factory in Flimby where they were able to create the shoe they had designed. The NB they created was 577 with the theme Walk With The Colours of England.

Via EUKicks

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

CT has released the info on the second in the Villainy series - a yellow 577 named after Song Jiang aka “Black Sword.” Can’t mess with the yellow and grey combination and the mesh tongue looks very distinct. The 577 is one of the best models of New Balance IMO so this one looks like another winner.

“Another day, another preview of one of the four shoes in our ‘Confederation Of Villainy’ collaboration with New Balance. The premium quality and comfort of the 577 has given it a cult following and the packaging on this limited edition makeover pays tribute to Chinese outlaw Song Jiang aka Black Sword - another BJ Betts illustrated banger that’ll make you want to jettison those generic stacks of cardboard teetering around your homes.

But onto the shoe itself - a carbon ‘N’ is backed with bright white leather, a mesh tongue, trim and toebox is in effect, as is a subtle spot of 3M and dash of dark grey premium leather. Oh, and the mustard yellow suede and lining might generate a few fans. Some tactically-placed white contrast stitching, the white metal top eyelet and the custom ‘Confederation…’ tongue label maintains the theme, but like its three siblings, it can hold its own away from the pack. Again, these are limited to 99 pairs exclusively from the CT store, and due to drop in early December…”

Via CT

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

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!)

“The New Balance Action series comes in a series of 4 namely the Run, Jump, Chase and Rush with the chinese characters of these actions depicted on the insoles.”

Via Limited Edt, Singapore