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 colorways 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 New Balance 1000 x Joe Freshgoods sneaker is decorated in captivatingly deep tones with metallic accents to celebrate the retro Y2K look while also hinting at the future of fashion. Supported by the footwear brand’s bouncy ABZORB cushioning and a durable rubber outsole, the shoe, which was initially designed as a runner, is incredibly comfortable to wear. The upper, meanwhile, is founded upon a layer of black mesh with broad openings that allow plenty of air to reach the foot, thus helping to keep it cool. Wavy synthetic leather overlays sweep along the sidewalls in a coppery bronze hue with an iridescent shimmer. A sturdy lacing system flows over the top of the foot in similarly rich tones, and embroidered New Balance 1000 branding adorns the tongue. More woven text appears on the lateral forefoot, this time announcing the contributions of Joe Freshgoods with the letters JFG, which are repeated in lowercase on the heel. The various layers of material wrapping around the back of the foot are slanted sideways, bringing an offbeat touch to the design, while a more classic feel is provided by the molded N logos on each flank. A final splash of color then highlights the insoles, which come in a suave shade of teal with black dual branding that completes this sleek collaborative design.