Can you imagine a shoe halfway between a moccasin and a sneakers? C'est du delire! the French would say. But for New Balance there are no limits to the imagination, and in fact it is preparing to launch on the market this new object (of desire or not, we'll see) worthy of debate: the New Balance loafers 1906L.
Initially presented through a collaboration with Junya Watanabe MAN in the nuance of black, during the Parisian Autumn/Winter 2024 shows last January, the bold hybrid “running moccasin” model was inspired by the traditional Penny Loafers in leather while maintaining the typical rubberized athletic technology of the well-known Boston brand. Which, according to a press release, would join the current conversation about breaking the boundary between “sport and luxury”.
Although we still don't know when it will be possible to purchase them, nor the selling price, the brand did not take long to shake the souls of the web, between exaltation and repulsion, announcing for now three colors of the new silhouette: bright green, silver and brown/navy. All completed with the New Balance “N” printed in the center of the mesh upper.
If on the one hand this communion of styles undoubtedly appears dissonant, and consequently polarising, on the other hand some internet users have already ironically defined it as “the perfect shoe for doing a 5 km run immediately after the opera”. Underlining the potential versatility and presumed comfort of this unique design to say the least. But playing the card comfort will it be enough to convince us? Just the test bed of coolness he will be able to say it.
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In this regard, it should be noted that the New Balance loafers they could easily fall fully into the current trend tennis-coreof which the put of Zendaya and the triumphs of Jannick Sinner become spokespersons. Thanks to the push of sporty-luxury on the catwalk, with the Miu Miu autumn/winter 2022-2023 collection, as well as with Wales Bonner's spring/summer 2024, the gymnast look leaves the playing field with head held high, contaminated by the revisitation as shocking as it is stylish of its canonical accessories.
So the possibility that the moccasin-sneakers be promoted before our eyes fashion-critics is not that remote after all. And after all, let's be honest, after Crocs cowboy bootsDiesel's boot-jeans, Miu Miu's flip-flop booties, etc., etc., hybridization and the concept of jolie laide (literally, «the ugly cute») are now not only cleared, but definitely on the agenda. And the team of ugly-(chic?)-shoes can't wait to welcome the new arrival. Quoting Umberto Eco, it is clear that “taste is always late for the appearance of the new”. But in this case the timing seems almost perfect. To all the styling daredevils, bon courage!
Source: Vanity Fair
I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.
