Joe Freshgoods and New Balance’s relationship is set to continue with the Chicago-based designer being tapped to revive an obscure model from 1999.
Two colorways will usher in the return of the New Balance 1000, a silhouette that was also previewed in Aimé Leon Dore’s spring 2024 lookbook, for a capsule that’s been dubbed “When Things Were Pure.” The sneaker has a mixed material upper featuring a mesh base with wavy overlays that have been rendered with a metallic sheen on both the “Pink Mink” and “Black Ice” editions.
The former does so with pink, while the rest of the sneaker appears in shades tan and white, including a gum outsole. “Black Ice,” meanwhile, has copper standing out with black forming most of the rest of the sneaker and gum once again appearing on the outsole. Both versions of the sneaker also feature a translucent “N” logo, “JFG” branding on the right toe and its circle variant on the heel and graphic insole.
In promotion of the sneakers, Joe Freshgoods filmed a campaign video inspired by a viral interview from the rerelease of the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” in 2011. Days after releasing the spot, Joe Freshgoods pointed in another post to 2003 to 2010 as the time period inspiring the “When Things Were Pure” capsule.
“When I think about the time when things were pure, I’m constantly placed back to the early 2000s when the social environment of the basement party was peak LIFE for me and my friends,” the designer wrote. “From the circle of faces getting ready to footwork to counting how many times you got juked, the early 2000s were pure.
“Inspired by half a days, the pink house on central, burning CDs, using the family computer, Wala Cam, pep rallies, and more. It continues to be very important to discuss the year within the product so you can understand the design tones of this collection.”
The 1000 marks the eighth collaboration of Joe Freshgoods and New Balance, the most recent of which was a three-pack of the 990v4 taking inspiration from the cult classic film “Belly.”
Although the soon-to-be-revived model shares much in common with many of the other New Balance sneakers popular at the moment, it’s much more obscure and has little documentation. But with a JFG cosign and the Y2K trend in full force, the 1000 has all the makings of another win for New Balance.
The Joe Freshgoods New Balance 1000 “When Things Were Pure” capsule will release Friday, April 12, through Joe Freshgoods’ website, with a raffle for the sneakers open now through Thursday, April 11. A second release will follow April 19 through New Balance’s website. Pricing is set at $170.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
