Andrew Rizzo Rising Los Angeles streetwear label Basketcase delivered one of the more underrated New Balance collaborations of last year, debuting a tonal “Pine Valley” execution of the New Balance 204L that’s quietly managed to rank highly in elevated fashion circles. Zach Kinninger’s brand is now returning to that well with another style, this time rolling out the grey Friends & Family pair previewed at Paris Fashion Week last June.
Not unlike JJJJound, Basketcase’s design language leans minimal and contemporary. One key separator is the brand’s keen ability to experiment with texture. The “Pine Valley” 204L accomplished that through fuzzy laces, while this grey style stands out with pony hair underlays beneath premium nubuck overlays. The New Balance logos are done in pony hair to match, while the sockliner and midsole come in off-white. Pink and off-white lace options are included.
The grey Basketcase x New Balance 204L releases via an activation held at TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance T-HOUSE (located in Nihonbashi, Japan) on March 6th. An exclusive limited release through Basketcase’s Friends & Family email list will open March 6th at 3:00 PM ET. No larger drop has been announced as of this writing.
