Would You Spend $1,500 for the Latest New Balance?
New Balance has redefined the limits of luxury sneakers with its recent collaboration alongside Italian fashion powerhouse Loro Piana. Together, they have launched an ultra-premium version of the 990v6 sneaker.
Loro Piana, a brand synonymous with understated elegance and premium fabrics, has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the finest textiles in the world. Known for its mastery of wool, cashmere, and merino fabrics, the brand specialises in creating wardrobe staples with meticulous craftsmanship. Its pieces are luxury items not just in name, but in quality, with their prices reflecting the elite status they hold. For example, a Loro Piana sweater can easily cost around $8,000.
Their garments have gained greater prominence thanks to cultural moments like their frequent appearances in the hit series Succession, where the wealthiest characters are often seen draped in Loro Piana, making it a brand closely associated with old-money elegance. It’s this ethos of quiet luxury that the brand brings to its unexpected partnership with New Balance.
On the other side of the collaboration is New Balance, the American brand known for its expertise in crafting high-quality sneakers that focus as much on comfort and performance as on style. The 990 series, first launched in 1982, has become a cult favourite, particularly for those who appreciate the blend of orthopaedic support and minimalist design that New Balance has long championed.
This collaboration marks a perfect fusion of both brands’ values: quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. For sneaker enthusiasts and collectors, it’s a significant moment in the intersection of high-end fashion and streetwear.
The Loro Piana x New Balance 990v6
At the heart of the collaboration is the Loro Piana x New Balance 990v6, which takes New Balance’s well-loved silhouette and enhances it with Loro Piana’s luxurious materials. The standout feature of this sneaker is its use of Pecora Nera wool, a rare textile sourced from dark merino sheep raised in New Zealand. This wool is exclusive to Loro Piana, known for its soft yet durable properties, and is used in both the upper construction and the sock liner of the shoe, ensuring not only a premium look but an elevated experience in comfort.
Visually, the sneaker maintains the classic New Balance design ethos. The colourway is built around timeless neutrals, with grey and beige dominating the palette. However, the collaboration introduces an eye-catching deep red to the logo, tongue, and sole, offering a subtle yet striking contrast to the muted tones. This is a sneaker that effortlessly marries functionality with elegance, creating a versatile piece that feels as at home in a fashion-forward setting as it does in everyday wear.
What makes it worth it?
While the $1,500 price may seem staggering, it’s not entirely out of place in the world of high-end sneaker collaborations. We’ve seen luxury brands successfully release collaborations at similar or even higher price points, such as the Dior x Air Jordan 1, which retailed at $2,000 and sold out immediately. Gucci’s frequent forays into sneaker culture have also set a precedent for luxury-meets-streetwear offerings that consistently fly off the shelves despite their high prices.
For collectors, a pair of Loro Piana x New Balance sneakers is as much about exclusivity and status as it is about quality and craftsmanship. With only 1,000 pairs released in select Loro Piana boutiques, this sneaker has become an instant symbol of luxury and rarity in the sneaker world. Those fortunate enough to secure a pair have done more than just purchase a shoe — they’ve made a fashion statement, one that reflects the growing fusion of streetwear and high-end fashion.
This partnership marked a significant moment in fashion, where luxury met performance. It’s a testament to the evolving landscape of sneaker culture, where athletic footwear is no longer just about comfort and functionality, but also about prestige and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or someone looking for a unique piece that blends the worlds of luxury and sport, the Loro Piana x New Balance 990v6 has already made waves as one of the most exclusive and desirable sneaker releases of the year.
