Crowned footwear designer of 2020, Salehe Bembury is proof of the Midas Touch. And with his latest, the designer is reuniting with New Balance and the 2002R silhouette that arguably started it all.
In color, look, and feel, the sequel subverts the original by quite a large margin. Gone are the influences of the Antelope Canyons and herein arrives references to calming waters. As such, the majority of the textured suede overlays are rendered in deep blue, mirroring the ocean in tandem with the lighter cool tones adjacent. The mesh underneath as well as the tongue further up, then, complements in a muted orange, while greens both light and dark add life via the the “N” logo, text branding, and foxing.
For a closer look at Bembury’s latest work, see below. A release, though undetermined as of current, is sure to arrive before the end of the year.
In other news, the Yeezy 500 Taupe Light is coming this weekend.
UPDATE 6/4/2021:
Salehe Bembury’s latest New Balance 2002R — entitled “Water Be The Guide” — is due to release on June 25th at a retail of $150 USD.
Salehe Bembury x New Balance 2002R
Release Date: Upcoming 2021