New Balance is showing no signs of slowing down after delivering several hit collaborations in 2020. Today, the sportswear powerhouse announced a long-term relationship with Stone Island.
The Boston-based company also confirmed collaborative product releases will come in 2021.
“Our collaboration with Stone Island is not only rooted in performance innovation, but elevating our mutual values of premium craftsmanship and superior product quality,” New Balance chief marketing officer Chris Davis said in a statement. “Both New Balance and Stone Island are independently minded brands with strong aptitudes for calculated risk taking. We both pride ourselves on having our fingers on the pulse of culture, elevating our rich heritage and creating authentic brand experiences for our global consumers. We look forward to pushing the boundaries and experimenting with design.”
According to New Balance, the initial talks with Stone Island were rooted in a want to deliver footwear collaborations that will roll out in different waves over the next few years. Also, NB said each company will “open their respective doors to deeper research and experimentation with the aim of collaborating on exciting product innovations.”
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Although the relationship was announced, no word on when product will hit retail was shared.
“There are only a limited number of brands that can be referred as iconic. They are so because of the consistency throughout their history, their strong vision and endless passion put into product making, always with the aim of serving the end users. With no concession to complacency,” Stone Island president and creative director Carlo Rivetti said in a statement. “Stone Island and New Balance have shown that they are of this breed. To exchange concepts and ideas by opening doors to each other’s R&D teams, with the aim to create great sound product, is exciting and the greatest message we can jointly convey to our audiences.”
New Balance was named FN Athletic Brand of the Year in 2020, primarily for its ability to churn out can’t-miss collaborations and the introduction of new silhouettes that were instant hits, such as the 327.
