New Balance 1000 x Joe Freshgoods

Since 2020, streetwear designer Joe Freshgoods has sought to bring his own unique creative ideas to a range of iconic New Balance silhouettes, from the sporty 2002R to the premium 990 series and the 550 basketball trainer. In 2024, the partnership took on another retro classic: the New Balance 1000. This heritage running shoe was initially released in 1999, but in 2024, it made a powerful comeback with the help of Joe Freshgoods and his bold creative vision. The collaboration features two colourways celebrating the culture of the early 2000s and the connection of modern-day fashion trends to those of the Y2K era. Part of a wider set of apparel entitled When Things Were Pure, these designs blend street style with a luxurious edge, taking inspiration from the memories of a more simple past while also looking to the future through the use of contemporary details.

This elegant New Balance 1000 x Joe Freshgoods design perfectly combines retro styling with futuristic details. Flowing leather overlays in the subtle pastel shade of Pink Mink swoop over the breathable, open-mesh upper. Slick white lines then accent the sidewalls, while beige panels protect the toe and heel. Originally built as a practical running shoe, this collaborative sneaker still carries many of the comfort-giving features of the classic model, including dual-density polyurethane foam and ABZORB technology in the midsole for solid impact protection. Underfoot, the gum-coloured outsole is filled with grip patterns of various dynamic shapes with eccentric text below the heel and forefoot. Sophisticated details can be found all over the sneaker, from the JFG lettering on the forefoot to the dual branding on the soft pink insoles and the 1000 embroidery angled across the back of the foot in line with the off-kilter slant of its overlays. Sculpted pink N logos adorn the flanks to maximise the profound appeal of this nostalgic collaboration.