Jovani Hernandez Jaden Smith has taken a break from the public eye over the last few years. The multi-hyphenate has been honing his crafts while also paying closer attention to MSFTSrep, the clothing and lifestyle brand he co-founded in 2011. Smith, now 25, also utilized his time away from the mainstream crosshairs to reassess his work with New Balance. Before 2023 ends, the collaborators are set to launch the MSFTSrep 0.01.
Smith first unveiled the New Balance MSFTSrep 0.01 during a guest performance at April’s Coachella festival. At quick glance, the unreleased model resembles the ever-popular New Balance 550, a low-top basketball shoe that debuted in 1989 and was reborn in 2020. Smith’s upcoming collaboration is far-removed from the chunky Vision Racer he promoted from 2020 to 2021, although the sleeker MSFTSrep 0.01 also features a segmented sole unit. Neither party has confirmed specific details about the retro-futurist silhouette, but it’s likely Smith’s next project (and all future ones) will heavily focus on sustainability – MSFTSrep has pivoted into the sustainable luxury space, and Jaden’s past work with the Boston-based brand also used recycled materials.
As for the shoe’s design, the leather upper resembles court footwear of the 1980s. Typical lone “N” logos are replaced with “NB” branding on the lateral side; “msftsrep” lands on the medial profile. Branding on the tongue label and spine also don new looks, further cementing Smith and his clothing line as important collaborators for New Balance. The chunky sole unit underfoot opts for a yellowed outsole that gives the classic “White/Black” upper an “aged” aesthetic. No FuelCell or Ndurance technology has been used on the MSFTSrep 0.01, harkening back to decades-past.
Details of a stateside newbalance.com launch haven’t been disclosed by the brand as of this writing, but that’s likely to change soon. Retailers overseas have begun to prep releases for the MSFTSrep .01
For more sneaker news, check out the Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R.
WHERE TO BUY
Jaden Smith x New Balance MSFTSrep 0.01
US 10/12/2023 Thursday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Balance US | Standard | Check Site |
| Concepts | Standard | Check Site |
Photos via New Balance
