eYe Junya Watanabe MAN x New Balance 650R Black

Paris Fashion Week FW23 gave us a peek into what seems to be the next collaboration between Junya Watanabe and New Balance. The partnership has continued to deliver an interesting perspective on the New Balance archive, with the premium eYe x NB 574 edition from 2022 being a perfect example of the designer’s sophisticated approach. Now Watanabe takes on New Balance’s 650, giving the high top his signature touch.

A thick jumbo mesh has been threaded throughout the various panels, giving the usual all-leather ‘80s basketball silhouette a breathable update. We can see Watanabe’s unique deconstructed tailoring through the tongue and side wall branding, both imbued with a jumbo mesh that moves away from the traditional leather construction. A set of heavy laces are found threaded onto the upper, the shade of deep black playing into the shoe’s monotone aesthetic. In classic Junya Watanabe fashion, co-branding is kept subtle, with only a small spell out sewn onto the tongue label.

Let’s hope we get more official images and news on this possible eYe Junya Watanabe x New Balance 650 release soon. Until then, make sure to keep it locked into The Sole Supplier where you can check our other range of NB 650s here!