Jack Harlow has been the most visible nonathlete New Balance endorsee since…well, since he signed with the brand in early 2022. It was the height of his breakout season. His second album, Come Home the Kids Miss You, was charting high, his hit single “First Class” and his collab with Lil Nas X, “Industry Baby,” were inescapable, and the Kentucky-born rapper was gearing up to film Hulu’s remake of White Men Can’t Jump. He did it all laced up in hot pairs of New Balances, with the promise of some sort of collaboration on the way.
It’s taken almost two and a half years, but the promise of Harlow signing with the Boston brand has finally paid off. Harlow’s first collaboration with New Balance hits shelves this week, and they’re worth the wait. The dude swung for the fences with a beautiful colorway that’s anything but subtle, blending a loud print with premium materials and a luxed-up spin on a hot New Balance silhouette.
For his first pair of sneakers with the brand, Harlow’s offered his take on the New Balance 1906R. If the shoe looks familiar, it’s because he’s far from the first big-name NB signee to help design a pair. The sneaker, a runner silhouette that made its debut back in 2010, has seen renditions designed by Action Bronson and New Balance Made in USA creative director Teddy Santis for Aimé Leon Dore. It’s a show of faith in the brand’s partnership with Harlow—clearly it doesn’t let just anyone put their stamp on this runner these days.
The faith is well-placed. Harlow’s 1906R is one of the more memorable debut collaborations in recent memory. The shoe features a classy floral print across the upper with a creamy off-white background. Pastel pink leather runs over the print, creating a cool geometric web. The sole comes in a dense green, providing a stem-colored contrast to the rosy upper. And for a killer finishing touch, the tongue of the shoe and its laces come in a cushy velvet.
Harlow hasn’t announced when fans can expect LP4 to drop, but if these are any indicator, there may be some sick kicks coming soon to tide them over in the meantime. The New Balance x Jack Harlow 1906R “Rose Runner” hits NewBalance.com and select New Balance retailers on October 4 for $180.
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