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Salehe Bembury hot streak of New Balance collaborations continues, as the designer has announced his two New Balance 1906Rs are releasing this week.
The long-teased collaboration consists of two colorways, “Magma” and “Lava,” forming the “Heat Be Hot” collection. On Monday, Bembury took to Instagram to announce the release date through a campaign video featuring a volcano experiment in the style of an elementary school science class.
After teasing the gradient “Lava” pair over the summer at Paris Fashion Week, Bembury revealed the “Magma” version in December on Instagram, immediately drawing comparisons to Spider-Man. Starting with a bright red base, the “Magma” sneaker features blue overlays in two shades with smaller hits of purple to match the tongue and two-tone sole unit. The heel cage makes use of another purple shade, while the laces that loop into the “N” logo utilize a darker red.
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The “Lava” pair sees its mesh base fade from yellow to orange to red while boasting metallic silver overlays, likely reflective, to go along with a matching heel cage. A silver midsole that may be pre-distressed, if not just worn by Bembury himself, hosts purple Abzorb SBS heel pods.
Bembury and Crocs recently received the Collection of the Year FN Achievement Award for their ongoing Pollex line, which grew to include slides and kids sizing for its clogs in 2023. The line will expand even further with a teased Pollex sneaker to arrive in the spring summer 2024 season. In Footwear News’ feature story for the award, Crocs CEO Michelle Poole said, “Salehe has brought a fresh perspective and enabled us to connect with new consumers” — something that could easily be said for Bembury’s ongoing series of New Balance collaborations that began in 2020.
Revived in 2022 as the 1906R, the 1906 is an archival runner that dates back to 2009 and is known best for its “N” logo also forming a portion of the lacing system. Modifications come through the addition of Abzorb gel cushioning at the heel, as well as N-ergy and Stability Web tech. The retooled model has quickly become another hit for New Balance, including collaborations with Aimé Leon Dore, Ganni, Comme des Garçons, and more.
The Salehe Bembury x New Balance 1906R “Heat Be Hot” collection will release Thursday, Jan. 11, exclusively through Bembury’s Be a Spunge website, as confirmed by Bembury himself. Pricing has not yet been confirmed, but the 1906R typically retails for $155.
This post will be updated as more information becomes available.
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.
