December 28th, 2012 by Sneaker News
|
For better or worse, 2012 was a defining year for the sneaker world and all that it encompasses. It was a year that saw certain shoes throw the laws of supply and demand so out of whack, that brands and retailers had to completely rethink the way they sell shoes to the public just to keep the peace. If you were willing to put in some legwork or, better yet, had the right connections, it was a banner year for sneaker enthusiasts. “Must-have” releases seemed to be at an all-time high and nearly every weekend offered up some sort of temptation for consumers. 2012 saw the release of some of the most eagerly anticipated and passionately sought-after sneakers the game had ever seen and it’s safe to say that things will never be the same again.
In between those, there were plenty of other desirable targets along the way, from the special limited editions and collaborations to beloved Retro returns and promising new designs and innovations. There were even a few certified sleeper hits that organically carved out their place among the year’s best releases. Due to an exponentially expanding consumer base and a heightened level of product awareness, you might not have been able to get your hands on every shoe you hunted for in 2012, but there was certainly no shortage of solid alternatives ripe for the picking in their absence.
Read more →
December 4th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
|
Stussy has been one of 2012′s most prolific collaborators, extending their creative influence to a variety of brands, genres and models. The latest effort brings along a Japanese streetwear mainstay and French horse racing themes to give one of New Balance’s surging collabo canvases another masterful new release. The Stussy x HECTIC x New Balance ML999 ‘Selle Francis’ has plenty of connections, whether you follow the 999 thread or check back over the vast HECTIC x NB history, which has also on many occasions included Stussy. What’s common to them all is premium craftsmanship, and this pair goes for all-suede, even opting for a perforated cut instead of the classic mesh ventilation, which adds an air of casual luxury. Saturday, December 15th is the release date, and we’ve got a new set of images to share with you after the jump.
Read more →
October 27th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
|
In addition to their New York Marathon fare, New Balance has issued several styles in recent weeks that we previewed this summer here on Sneaker News. That makes the latest New Balance 999 a nice surprise, as its combination of Maroon suede (with perforations in lieu of mesh) plus navy accents and a soft grey/ivory sole hadn’t made an appearance during the summer tradeshow circuit. So one of NB’s best loved classic runners makes an unexpected appearance in a slightly more aggressive/colorful form that still stays in line with fall/winter palettes and is available now at select retailers including the one store that’s proven they love this silo most of all: CNCPTS.
Read more →
October 26th, 2012 by Brendan Dunne
|
How is your track record this year as far as grabbing New Balance’s more sought after collaborations? There have been a ton so we can certainly understand if a few pairs slipped through the cracks. Fortunately you’ll have another crack at this one, the Concepts x New Balance 999 ‘SEAL’, as the Boston team is planning for a limited bring back this Saturday, October 27th. Click through with us for some photos of the New Balance 999 ‘SEAL’ if you need any more convincing and be advised that there will be an in-store release at 10AM EST and an online one at noon the same day at CNCPTS (with some other scattered spots apparently picking up pairs as well).
Read more →
October 1st, 2012 by Aaron Hope
|
New Balance has so many intriguing collaborative projects on the horizon it’s hard to keep track of them all, so here’s one with inspiration from the kind of track where everyone’s clearly numbered. And if we were betting men, we’d wager that the Stussy x realmad HECTIC x New Balance ML999 ‘Selle Francais’ is going to cross the finish line ahead of the pack just like CNCPTS’ summer standout ‘Seal’. Crafted in a distinctive shade of brown suede, the ‘Selle Francais’ 999 is inspired by the top French race horse breed and is expected at select retailers in December. Stick with Sneaker News for updates and let us know how this luxurious horsey suede compares to the various horsehair designs we’ve seen over the past few years.
Read more →
September 9th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
|
That whole thing about fresh in-house New Balance 999 releases as a sign of things to come? Looks like our wishes have come true, and there’s no better next colorup to see come down the pike than the one that’s more strongly associated with this brand than any other. The ML999GR is a grey suede and mesh classic with white trim in the vein of so many classic New Bal runners, its Abzorb cushion accented by a cobalt heel bumper for just a hint of the colors with which you can pair these. Stick with Sneaker News to see if more new editions follow these grey and Hunter Green pairs and exercise your prerogative by copping now from Premier.
Read more →
September 6th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
|
Were a vote to be taken today, could any New Balance silhouette make a stronger claim to MVP status than the 999? A model like the 574 is always in contention with consistent quality, but the past year or so has been bookended by spectacular Concepts ‘Kennedy’ and ‘SEAL’ collabos, and even though Ronnie Fieg’s latest NB teamup is a 1300, it was the triple-nine upon which he applied the ‘Steel Blue’ getup. And with all that recent success, we might be fortunate enough to see more New Balance 999s come to retail from the in-house designers like this latest Hunter Green style. You’ll see them from more angles after the jump, and then you can grab a pair from Premier.
Read more →
August 25th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
|
It’s going to be hard for New Balance to top what they’ve done with the 999 in conjunction with Concepts in each of the past two years, but expect new colorways in 2013 (and maybe a CNCPTS three-peat?). One of them has a certain kind of diametric opposition to the Boston crew now famous for mastering the New Balance 999, its New York Knicks/Mets colorup the latest in what seems to be a recent revival of this iconic Big Apple palette. Contrast stitching on the forefoot suede elements really gives these a bold look in conjunction with cascading grey tones and carefully placed orange hits, so have a closer look and stick with Sneaker News for release info.
Read more →
