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New Balance relaunches 991 - and calls in Allen
Performance running specialists New Balance relaunched their 'legendary' 991 model at the recent Pitti trade show in Florence. The shoe, made in the UK at the company's factory in Flimby with added leather applications provided in Italy, was one of New Balance's most enduring series of running shoes in the 80s and 90s.
Hand crafted in Flimby with premium, full-grain Italian leather complemented with a stylish suede and mesh combination this model really drew the crowds in Italy.
Commenting on the renaissance of the 991 Jonathan Ram, New Balance's Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: "New Balance have a history of craftsmanship that dates back over 100 years and the company's enterprise and innovation has been responsible for landmark developments as the sport made its technological advances.
"We have been hand-building shoes in the UK for over 25 years and those techniques we have developed and now employ has enabled us to maintain the tradition of classic quality."
Meanwhile, NB has called on celebrated sportswear designer Eyan Allen to orchestrate their new Autumn '08 functional running collection.
The range, which has prompted highly favourable reviews from top retailers such as Karstadt Sports and Sweatshop, has taken its original inspiration from the Shanghai skyline; the blacks and the greys of the buildings interspersed the city's bright lights offered the directions for colour.
The form of the garments in the collection also found inspiration in architecture with municipal buildings designed by Zahar Hadid in Montpellier, France, with its trademark of powerfully strong but simple lines being a particular revelation.
For all its inspirational style the collection is essentially about form and function the guiding principles for a running collection. It took shape through a full appreciation of how the athlete moves when running.
This understanding of the athlete has also led to a range of innovations. The zips being placed at angles on running tights; ipod/mp3 player features are angled on the forearm for ease of use in motion. Added features include hand snugs for protection against the cold, watch ports to time runs more easily, zoned venting to increase breathability and the 360-degree reflectivity distinguishes the range and makes those training runs safer in bad weather and especially at night.
