Salehe Bembury and New Balance Team Up Once Again to Deliver the ‘Water Be The Guide’ 2002R

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After delivering the “Peace Be The Journey” collaboration in fall ’20, Salehe Bembury and New Balance have teamed up yet again to give the 2002R silhouette a new look.

The latest collab is the “Water Be The Guide” 2002R — a shift from the desert theme of the first shoe — is a colorway that New Balance said was inspired by the designer’s trip to Havasu Falls, located in the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

To pull off the inspiration, Bembury — the FN 2020 Designer of the Year — delivered the look with uppers featuring hairy suede, leather and mesh, executed predominantly in a deep teal hue. Additionally, the upper features shearling “N” branding. The colors he opted to use on the collab, New Balance said, were chosen to show “the juxtaposition of cold and warm colors within the environment.” Also, the look features the upper of the New Balance 2002 and the sole unit of the 860v2.

Much like the first New Balance collaboration, which arrived in October 2020, Bembury tapped actor Jesse Williams for the campaign, which also features a cameo from Austin Mahone.

Watch on FN

The Salehe Bembury x New Balance “Water Be The Guide” 2002R arrives via Newbalance.com on June 25 and will retail for $150.

Jesse Williams Salehe Bembury New Balance Water Be The Guide 2002R
Jesse Williams in the Salehe Bembury x New Balance “Water Be the Guide” 2002R.
CREDIT: Courtesy of New Balance

Jesse Williams Salehe Bembury New Balance Water Be The Guide 2002R
Jesse Williams in the Salehe Bembury x New Balance “Water Be the Guide” 2002R.
CREDIT: Courtesy of New Balance

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