American Brands Collaborate On New 998 Style
Two American brands popular in the UK have come together in honour of Independence Day. J.Crew has teamed up with New Balance to mark the July event with a trainer update based on the footwear firm’s 998 silhouette. Designed in New York City and manufactured at the New Balance factory in Maine, the model features a red, white and blue body crafted from a mix of white pigskin suede and mesh uppers. Produced in a limited number, each trainer also carries a Made in the USA tag on the tongue as well as the Abzorb sole found on other New Balance products. The collaboration isn’t the first time the two brands have paired up. Other styles the duo have worked on since the ongoing partnership kicked off back in 2010 include the 998 Inferno, Dark Military and 1400 Dark Royal. Both companies confirmed the shoe is limited edition, though no exact figures have been announced. The trainers launched at two exclusive locations in LA and Hong Kong earlier in the week. They became available to shoppers via stores in London, Hong Kong and America as well as online today. The 998 Independence Day model costs £175 online, slightly higher than previous collaborations which came in at £160.