The Loro Piana x New Balance 2024 collaboration features a luxurious take on the classic New Balance 990v6 sneaker. This release, set for September 5, 2024, this is the same day of the CSA Awards, read more on that here.

The Loro Piana merges the high-end craftsmanship of Loro Piana with New Balance’s iconic athletic design. The sneaker stands out with premium materials such as wool and cashmere, replacing the usual mesh and suede, and is designed in neutral tones of soft beiges and greys.

This collaboration is highly exclusive, with only 1,000 pairs available, each retailing at $1,500. The sneaker is expected to be sold through select New Balance and Loro Piana retail channels, making it a coveted item for both luxury fashion enthusiasts and sneaker collectors.

Loro Piana is a prestigious Italian luxury brand renowned for its exceptional quality in textiles and fashion. Founded in 1924, the company has a rich heritage of craftsmanship, specializing in the production of high-end wool, cashmere, and other fine fabrics. Loro Piana’s commitment to sourcing the finest raw materials, such as the rarest and softest cashmere from Mongolia and baby cashmere, has made it a global leader in luxury goods.

The brand is synonymous with understated elegance, focusing on timeless, minimalistic designs that emphasize the quality of the material over flashy branding. Loro Piana offers a wide range of products, including ready-to-wear clothing for men and women, accessories, and home goods. The company also operates in the luxury goods market, with items like exclusive outerwear, knitwear, and shoes.

Loro Piana’s philosophy revolves around a concept known as “quiet luxury,” where the excellence of the materials and the precision of the craftsmanship speak for themselves without the need for overt logos or branding. This approach has attracted a clientele that values sophistication and subtlety.

In 2013, Loro Piana was acquired by the French luxury conglomerate LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), which further expanded its global reach while maintaining its heritage and commitment to quality. Today, Loro Piana continues to be a symbol of luxury and refinement, admired for its dedication to the finest materials and impeccable craftsmanship.

While digging to find out if this sneaker will be available at ShelfLife or Maison Mara, there is however, no specific information confirming its availability in South Africa. Given the exclusive nature of the collaboration and the limited number of pairs (1,000 globally), it may be challenging to purchase in South Africa directly unless through a global retailer that ships internationally or via resale platforms after the initial release.

With cricket and New Balance in mind, In 2017, New Balance South Africa announced the International Ambassadorship of Temba Bavuma and around 2019, Levergy announced a cricket campaign with Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, and some time later Chloe Tryon was added to the list.

I definitely hope Chloe Tryon will be gifted this pair of limited edition sneakers as a South African woman cricketer and the Temba Bavuma as an international New Balance ambassador in SA.