Custom kicks

by Harry Sheff

Last night, New Balance previewed their made in the USA collection at New York’s Mulberry Project. I was excited to see the line after interviewing Unionmade’s Todd Barket for MR’s September Made in America themed issue. As the first retailer to carry a capsule of six styles, he raved about his customer’s response to them. Barket said he immediately sold out of the first shipment and had to re-order 80 more pairs!

New Balance has been making sneakers since 1938 and one in every four pairs of sneakers sold in the U.S. are manufactured here. Their newest collection (made in Norridgewock, Maine)  is a custom program where consumers can design their own pair from different colorways and materials. And because they’re made in Maine, ship within 4 to 8 business days.

Photo by Donna Alberico