Ronnie Fieg is adding another feather to his cap with his own signature New Balance silhouette. After announcing a signature silhouette with Salomon earlier this year, and exclusive access to Nike products shortly after, New Balance has given Fieg the ultimate stamp of approval, his own signature model - the 2011.
via @ronniefieg
After 15 years of partnership and 92 collaborative models, I’m proud to introduce my first-ever original silhouette with New Balance… the 2011.
Fieg took to his Instagram yesterday to say, “After 15 years of partnership and 92 collaborative models, I’m proud to introduce my first-ever original silhouette with New Balance… the 2011, designed by me and Sam Pearce. A lot to unpack here starting with a beautiful process 2 years in the making. More to come.”
via @ronniefieg
via @ronniefieg
Working closely with Sam Pearce, Creative Design Manager at New Balance, the person behind other recent additions such as the Allerdale (a personal favourite) and the 991v2, the two were set from the start. Development began two years ago, spanning 20 rounds of samples and “every millimetre refined to Fieg’s exact specifications.”
It goes without saying that his signature 2011 silhouette is well deserved.
Of course Fieg is no stranger to the brand, having worked with them on a 574 as far back as 2011. Ask the general sneakerhead audience and they’ll reference notable pairs such as the 1600 “Daytona” (2013), 998 ‘City Never Sleeps’ (2015) and 993 “Madison Square Garden” Pack (2025), revealing just a taste of his overall contribution to the New Balance library. It goes without saying that his signature 2011 silhouette is well deserved.
So why the 2011?
Well, it’s no secret that Fieg was and still is a huge fan of the New Balance 2002, a shoe that when released, represented the creme de la creme of the brand’s footwear. If you remember the marketing rollout and historical breakdown of the NB 2002, then you’ll have heard how the design moodboard consisted of expensive watches and fast cars, the CEO’s shoe as it were.
From New Balance’s perspective, it makes sense to give Kith access to a model with such a design lineage, especially considering the luxury-streetwear space his stores occupy (if that category can even exist in the first place).
via @ronniefieg
via @ronniefieg
Why give Kith a signature silhouette?
It’s a valid question, and other key figures in the industry have been given a silhouette for a lot less, but Fieg and his Kith franchise seems to be on an unbeatable streak. Opening up retail spaces across continents, redefining what the in-store experience is supposed to look like, New Balance clearly wants to be connected to that.
Opening up retail spaces across continents, redefining what the in-store experience is supposed to look like, New Balance clearly wants to be connected to that.
Offering an exclusive silhouette that will only be available at Kith could be an example of where footwear is headed - retailer-only silhouettes. Although, there has been no real mention of exclusivity, so take that with a pinch of salt as I might be getting ahead of myself there.
£230.00
Our thoughts on the Kith x New Balance 2011
It might be less than 24 hours since the news broke, but sneakerheads are already giving their two cents. One person on Reddit commented, “I like the paneling a lot, Ronnie cooked on these!”, while another felt differently, saying “They look a lot better than the 2010’s imo but I’m still not itching to try them.”
I personally think they’re a solid spin off of the 2002r, especially given that “Sakura” colourway is outrageously good. Chances are if you’ve read this far that you’re also a fan of the new Kith NB 2011 too, but if you’re yet to be convinced, leave it to Ronnie to chalk up some fire colour palettes in the coming months.
To stay up-to-date on all the latest news around the Kith x New Balance 2011, keep it locked to The Sole Supplier!
