Haute couture took over Paris from January 17 to 22, giving some houses the opportunity to reveal new partnerships with Nike, New Balance, and more...
Punctuated by the runway shows of major luxury houses and young designers presenting their men's ready-to-wear collections for the Fall/Winter 2023-2024 season, Paris Fashion Week once again unveiled numerous surprises. Indeed, brands took advantage of the year's most anticipated catwalk to reveal unprecedented and promising collaborations that are set to expand the 2023 lineup of our favorite brands!
AURALEE x New Balance 1906R "Lavender" & "White Cream"
Photo Credits: @auralee_tokyo (Instagram)
Very quickly, the label founded by Ryota Iwai became one of New Balance's leading collaborators. For Fashion Week, it appears the two partners are continuing on this path, as AURALEE has taken on the New Balance 1906R and unveils two elegant and unprecedented colorways.
These new iterations, respectively named "White Cream" and "Lavender", perfectly match AURALEE's signature color palette, which emphasizes modernity, authenticity, and clarity. Furthermore, Ryota Iwai uses an overall construction similar to the New Balance 2002R released in 2022, once again using mesh, leather, and suede. Finally, an unprecedented retro branding is added to each tongue.
The pack is expected to release during the Fall/Winter 2023 season via the AURALEE and New Balance websites. However, details regarding the release date and price remain unknown.
AURALEE x New Balance 1906R "Lavender"
View on the calendarAURALEE x New Balance 1906R "White Cream"
View on the calendarComme des Garcons HOMME x New Balance 1906R "Black" & "White"
Photo Credits: @tysikd (Instagram)
As usual, PFW delivered its share of surprises. When Junya Watanabe unveiled his Junya Watanabe Man collection, he revealed authentic and futuristic pieces, accompanied by two 1906R signed Comme des Garcons x New Balance.
Following the pack consisting of two New Balance 550, the Japanese label is back and takes on New Balance's trending new silhouette from the Boston brand, unveiling a "Black" colorway as well as a "White" one. At first glance, the "Black" version features an upper combining mesh and opaque leather, while the second version presents a two-tone design with white on the upper, supported by all-black on the sole. Additionally, Comme des Garcons plans to use higher quality leather than the one used by New Balance.
For now, there is no announced date, but the Comme des Garcons x New Balance 1906R pack will launch during the Fall/Winter 2023 collection via Dover Street Market and New Balance.
Comme des Garcons HOMME x New Balance 1906R "Black"
View on the calendarComme des Garcons HOMME x New Balance 1906R "White"
View on the calendarBotter x Reebok "Venus Comb Murex Shell Sneaker"
Photo Credits: @botter_paris (Instagram)
For its first runway show, high expectations surrounded the emerging menswear brand. And it did not disappoint! Indeed, Lisi Herrebourg and Rushemy Botter, the two designers, draw inspiration from Caribbean lands as well as 3D printing, unveiling an unexpected collaboration with Reebok titled "Venus Comb Murex Shell Sneakers".
In terms of design, the two collaborators combine their expertise to create a bold pair inspired by the shell used by the Greek goddess Venus. Furthermore, once printed, the grey silhouettes were hand-painted to complement the tones of the Caribbean Sea. While this silhouette leans more towards luxury, its craftsmanship is remarkable as the 3D printing process revolves around zero waste.
The Botter x Reebok "Venus Comb Murex Shell Sneaker" silhouettes will release during the Fall/Winter 2023 season. More information should arrive soon!
Photo Credits: Getty Images
To wrap up this Men's Fall/Winter 2023 Fashion Week, Chitose Abe made a splash by unveiling an unprecedented collection with Carhartt. While she focused on numerous oversized pieces, the hall of the Carreau du Temple also revealed a new partnership with the Swoosh brand.
This Sacai x Nike collaboration features the Air Footscape in three distinctive colorways with a completely redesigned midsole and outsole construction. The shoes are re-equipped with traction and a hiking shoe sole, while the original midsole design sees its dimensions exaggerated and extended outward. Additionally, Chitose Abe combines multiple materials such as mesh and suede.
Like the Sacai x Carhartt collection, the Sacai x Nike Air Footscape should drop during the Fall/Winter 2023 season. For now, no pricing has been revealed.
Sacai x Nike Air Footscape "Blue"
View on the calendarSacai x Nike Air Footscape "Black"
View on the calendarSacai x Nike Air Footscape "Brown"
View on the calendar