Junya Watanabe, the visionary behind his eponymous label, has long been known for his innovative approach to fashion, seamlessly blending traditional designs with modern sensibilities. His collaboration with New Balance is a testament to this creative philosophy, and the brand has now given him two colorways of the new 1906L, a loafer version of the 1906R.
This collaboration reimagines the popular New Balance 1906R, a model known for its performance and comfort, transforming it into a stylish loafer that challenges conventional sneaker design. The same tooling from the 1906R remains, which itself is derived from the 860v2, while the heel counter remains untouched. The toe and midfoot structures are also preserved, but the transformation is most evident in the shoe's throat, which adopts the aesthetics of a classic loafer.
The sneaker features New Balance branding on the lockdown strap, complemented by adding "1906L" on the lateral heel, signifying this new chapter in the 1906R's evolution. The design is completed with the Junya Watanabe MAN branding prominently on the tongue.
The Junya Watanabe MAN x New Balance 1906R Loafer Pack will release on October 18, 2024, through Junya Watanabe MAN retailers and possibly via New Balance online. As of this writing, the retail price has yet to be announced. Stay informed about this release and more by downloading the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Junya Watanabe MAN x New Balance 1906L Loafer
Images via le.syndrome
Image via trobrillants
Junya Watanabe MAN x New Balance 1906L Loafer White
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com