New Balance x Salehe Bembury YURT Collection
Following the successful release of two New Balance x Salehe Bembury 2002R colourways, the pair is teaming up again to launch the 574 YURT and, for the first time, New Balance x Salehe Bembury accompanying apparel. Grounded in trail running inspiration, the 574 YURT reimagines the classic and archival New Balance model with a modern outdoor flare.
The now-iconic closet staple 574 is an original trail running model from the 80s and the upper of the 574 YURT uses that silhouette as its inspiration, along with elements from the Test Run 3.0, 990v3, and archived 755. This new model continues the tradition of open mesh that has become a signature of the Salehe Bembury x New Balance relationship. A stylish but functional trail shoe at its core, the 574 YURT also comes complete with a first in footwear, high pitch whistle on the heel, emphasizing outdoor safety and survival.
With a yurt – a round tent covered with skins or felt – at the center of his inspiration for this new sneaker and apparel collection, Salehe uses earth tones and bright colours to capture the outdoors in both his designs and colourways. As a result, the collection inspires a new and elevated dress code to wear during outside activities.
“You already need many different tools when venturing outdoors,” said Salehe. “The 574 YURT was created so that you don't have to worry about remembering every item, because we've merged two into one with a whistle on the sneaker. Weaving this theme into the campaign video makes me excited to see how my audience takes this campaign at face value while introducing the 574 YURT and apparel.”
In keeping with the outdoor theme, the line of apparel includes t-shirts, hoodies, pants, and cap featuring Salehe’s signature fingerprint design and a colour palette inspired by hiking trails. As an extension of the collection, the campaign video takes viewers through several different outdoor environments alongside actors Jesse Williams and Algee Smith.
“Safe to say, none of us were whistle experts walking into this. But at New Balance, we honour function at every level and the team was committed to finding the right balance between a visually compelling and functionally sound device — key point being that the whistle did need to sound right at then end of the day!
Whistle aside, this design involved quite a few technically challenging components. We aimed to combine a historical canvas with unconventional flair, which both helped us introduce legacy tech in a new light while navigating certain manufacturing constraints. That’s the type of work that creatively feeds our soul because we know in the end we’re building something truly new for people,” says Yenny Hsieh, Senior Technical Designer, Footwear, at New Balance
NEW BALANCE x SALEHE BEMBURY 574 YURT
MEMBERS BALLOT: 21/10/2021 3PM - 9PM (GMT+8)
Members must ballot and purchase their own size, 1 pair per member only.
Members will be notified via email between 10pm to 11pm the same night.
Members have from 22 to 24 October to pick up their reserved pairs at CHAMBER, Wisma Atria. Failing which may result in suspension.
Proxy collection is strictly prohibited, bring along physical card for collection. Digital copies are not allowed.
PUBLIC BALLOT: 22/10/2021 11AM - 11:59PM (GMT+8)
Proxy collection is strictly prohibited.
NEW BALANCE x SALEHE BEMBURY YURT APPAREL
MEMBERS RESERVATION: 21/10/2021 3PM - 9PM (GMT+8)
Members have from 22 to 24 October to pick up their reserved pairs at CHAMBER, Wisma Atria. Failing which may result in suspension.
Proxy collection is strictly prohibited, bring along physical card for collection. Digital copies are not allowed.
