Update August 26, 2024: New Balance says the shoe will retail for $1,500 instead of $1,000.
Everyone knows that New Balance’s standard “Made In USA” sneakers are extremely high quality, but the Boston brand is taking it a step further: New Balance and Italian fashion house Loro Piana are teaming up to release an ultra-limited, ultra-exclusive New Balance 990v6 that evokes the holy grail for fans of both companies.
Showcased in images posted by @sneakers_nstuff, the design features a predominantly grey upper and stays right in New Balance’s speciality of letting premium materials speak for themselves. While Loro Piana is well known as one of the world’s leading and largest manufacturers of cashmere, the Italian brand appears to have brought a thick, buttery grey nubuck to its first-ever collaboration with New Balance. This premium textile is used on all the overlays, while the base, tongue and lining all appear to be made from standard mesh. Loro Piana’s signature maroon hue is spotted on the quarter logo, tongue badge, inner tongue lining and outsole, along with script branding on the tongue.
As the shoe is ultra-luxurious, retail price has been set at $1,000, with only 1,000 pairs expected to be released. Loro Piana’s VIP customers have already had the opportunity to purchase, but the general release will take place in select Loro Piana stores on September 5th. Check out detailed images below.