After Made in USA, JJJJound takes over New Balance's Flimby factory in England to create its version of the New Balance 991 - Made in UK. Since 1982, the workshop in this small village has championed quality craftsmanship, allowing the creation of premium iterations in limited quantities. In this factory, the last one from the American brand still operating in Europe, pairs are handmade with care and precision. It is within this dynamic that the Montreal-based label JJJJound decided to reinterpret the runner's silhouette with sobriety and elegance, turning it into an iconic pair on par with the editions manufactured across the Atlantic.
Photo Credits: @jjjjound (Instagram)
JJJJound's Creativity Speaks for Itself
The JJJJound studio has massively gained popularity in recent years. Since 2018, the studio has been revisiting New Balance classics, offering a minimal design approach on each silhouette. In this regard, the Montreal-based label's ability to create memorable collaborations with the Boston brand has allowed it to gradually establish its place within sneaker culture.
From the 990v3 to the 990v4, through the 992, the studio offers a refined vision of menswear and has now inscribed its own ethos as a reference. Furthermore, while the Montreal-based studio has become one of the Boston brand's most important collaborators, it has demonstrated its creative influence and minimalist approach across numerous other brands.
Moreover, the JJJJound x New Balance collaboration is built to endure, as New Balance's universe harmonizes perfectly with JJJJound's understated and elegant style, resulting in a perfect symbiosis.
Photo Credits: @jjjjound (Instagram)
When JJJJound and New Balance Make the Perfect Pair
When Justin Saunders, the founder of JJJJound, first took on the New Balance 990v3, he fully respected New Balance's universe and color palette. Indeed, the pair features a superb blend of sandy brown tones accented by crisp off-white touches and shimmering silver highlights. Moreover, this silhouette offered an unprecedented refined vision of the runner, generating particular interest for both collaborators and establishing New Balance's reputation.
Photo Credits: @jjjjound (Instagram)
It would take a year for the two partners to work together again, specifically on two New Balance 992 models. As the silhouette made a resounding comeback in 2020, the Quebec-based creative delivered another exercise in minimalism, unveiling a classic pack that perfectly blends mesh and suede. While the first version sports a combination similar to the 990v3, the second pair features an unprecedented pine green colorway.
Photo Credits: JJJJound
Staying true to its direction, JJJJound chose to tackle the fourth model of the 990 series lineup in 2021. While the label presents a subtle combination of navy blue and black, its third collaboration with New Balance reveals a more technical fit, notably with a secondary set of 3M speckled elastic laces, bringing a new hiking performance element to the typically clean look.
Photo Credits: JJJJound
Nothing seems to stop JJJJound and New Balance when the 990v3 "Olive" made its appearance. After achieving unanimous acclaim within sneaker culture, JJJJound gave no respite and introduced a new overlay design on the beloved silhouette. Indeed, this iteration is more spacious with breathable mesh and advanced cushioning, establishing an unprecedented modern look.
And barely three months after the release and success of the JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 "Olive", the teams from both partners returned with another version. Indeed, the originally olive pair gave way to a brilliant blend of brown and black, marking the rise of JJJJound x New Balance, which had only just released its fifth silhouette.
Photo Credits: JJJJound
JJJJound's approach to the Boston brand's timeless models does not go unnoticed. While the Quebec-based studio has expanded the Made in USA range, it appears that both collaborators still have a few surprises in store this year.
The JJJJound x New Balance 991 - Made in UK "Grey"
After the undeniable success of the silhouettes manufactured in the United States, the creative label and the Boston brand are now tackling the British division, known for its premium materials and colorways in grey and brown shades. This is the first time Justin Saunders has designed a pair from the UK-made range, and for the occasion he revisits a colorway similar to the one featured on the 990v3 and 992 that dropped a few years ago.
Photo Credits: JJJJound x New Balance
This new iteration revealed this fall features a grey mesh upper joined by taupe suede overlays of superior quality on the mudguard, eyelets, and quarter panel. To contrast with these soft tones, the lateral N adopts a black shade that combines with the ankle collar and tongue branding, made in 3M reflective material. Additionally, the 991 model features a thick Abzorb technology sole, known for providing cushioning and comfort to the sneaker, which rests on a grippy black outsole. Finally, to accentuate this exceptional partnership, "JJJJound" is inscribed on the heel and insoles.
Photo Credits: WhenToCop?
The pair from this partnership will obviously come in a special minimalist box featuring both brands as well as the Made in UK label. It will also be accompanied by an additional set of black laces matching the lateral branding to replace the cream laces and give the pair a different look.
The pair will first drop on February 9, 2023 at 6 PM GMT on JJJJound, then a second time on February 15, 2023 on New Balance. It is priced at 230 euros.
JJJJound x New Balance 991 - Made in UK "Grey"
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