New Balance readies 550 Hemp for retail
Boston-based sports footwear company New Balance is to launch a neutral-toned “hemp” version of its 550 basketball shoe, designed by Steven Smith and initially released in 1989.
The woven uppers are majority hemp-fibre textile, with minimal suede elements and some contrasting black embroidery to make details such as the trainers’ model number and New Balance branding stand out.
Though further details have yet to be confirmed, a ‘natural’, undyed look, in keeping with the properties and qualities of hemp, gives the shoes a relatively clean and unassuming appearance overall.
They are expected to debut via specialist retailer Naked Copenhagen on June 1, both online and in-store, followed by New Balance’s own channels and those of other select partners some time after.
New Balance’s 550 Hemp shoes in the colour “sea salt”. Credit: New Balance.
