Gather around and grab them while they're hot; October's POTM are fresh off the press.
Launching a new silhouette can be daunting. But success is pretty much nailed on when you employ the help of one of the world's leading luxury fashion brands. Enter the New Balance x Stone Island MADE in UK 991v2. Talk about kicking things off with a bang.
Renowned for its impeccable quality, the 991 has remained untouched since its 2001 debut; you could argue a little tinkering was long overdue. This second iteration takes on a sleeker profile, with its most notable difference arriving underfoot: a full-length FuelCell midsole paired alongside classic ABZORB SBS pods and ENCAP cushioning – new yet familiar.
Stone Island's effort draws inspiration from the industrial surroundings of the UK's electronic music scene. Moody hues of olive, grey, and black dress its mesh, nubuck, and leather uppers, while the brand's synonymous compass sigil sits on the tongue. Get that badge in, boys.
New Balance's 991v2 "Rock Ridge" has also made its way into our picks – something about a grey-hued 99X model calls to us.
Apologies for geeking out on NB there. Let's move on to some other footwear bits…
Saucony has teamed up with the folks at Claima – an independent content agency – for their fantastic "Claim A Seat" project, which helps to tackle inequality and help raise money for several charitable causes. They're shining a spotlight on the talents of Black and Brown creatives in the footwear world with a reworked rendition of the 3D Grid Hurricane – which, by the way, was the first Saucony silhouette designed by the brand's first black designer, the talented John Acevedo. Co-designed with John Humphrey from Beignet Boys, it boasts a bold makeover with a fresh white base, royal purple suede overlays, and ochre details. Give this short film a watch for more info.
Another collab with hits of purple is Bodega's "After-Hours" reimagining of the ASICS GEL-NYC. Inspired by the gritty underbelly of most pretty cities, the pair draws inspiration from rust-ridden chain link fences and buzzing neon street signs. They're a really nice grungy pair.
Now, who's familiar with New Balance and Hikmet's legendary "Nazar Eye" 1500 from way back in November 2008? If you don't know it, check it out because Hikmet's own label, Sonra, is paying homage to the fabled model. Rooted in oriental folklore, the Nazar Eye is said to ward off evil looks. So, to shield you from judging onlookers, every pair comes with a protective eye of its own. And in true Sonra fashion, they're crafted from the finest veg-tanned leather sourced from organic German cows, a symbol of quality and uniqueness.
We'll rattle through the rest of the footwear:
The Clarks Originals Wallabee Eden – a classic reimagined with a sure-footed Vibram® sole.
Karhu x Footpatrol Fusion 2.0 "Snowstar" – a snow boot-inspired silhouette dressed in seasonally apt shades.
HANON's SMU Archive Drop – we're truly gutted to see these guys go, honestly. Expect to see more about them from MORPRIME soon. In the meantime, look through their archive drop and grab a goodie before they're gone for good.
Now for all the other bits we've been digging this month.
Between binge-watching sadistic superheroes in The Boys spinoff Gen V, listening to Big DA share soothing animal knowledge on Planet Earth III, and watching DiCaprio and De Niro in The Killer of the Flower Moon, our lab rats have read another book...
When a book like Russ Bengston's "A History of Basketball Shoes in Fifteen Sneakers" releases, we footwear freaks are drawn like moths to a flame. Brimming with expert knowledge, it explores basketball's history by looking at 15 iconic silhouettes and the court icons who wore them. Go and grab it.
While we're on the basketball topic, Shaq & Allen Iverson have been President & VP of Reebok Basketball – let's see what they start cooking.
Models, artwork, and tea sets now:
Has the release of Spider-Man 2 got anyone else obsessing over all things 8-legged? Probably just us, but we had to chuck in the announcement of Hot Toys' Spider-Man 3 Symbiote Venom Peter Parker 1/6th Figure. It's not even set to drop until late 2024 or early 2025. We get very excited by these sorts of things, though.
Just like we love a good print. Matt Ferguson's incredible 1 of 250 giclee "The Empire Strikes Back" is a design we desperately need for our lab.
Oh, and here's another thing we thought would look great in the lab: the Palace x Wedgwood Tea Set. It's the perfect addition for all your super fancy tea parties (it'll set you back a pretty penny, though).
Transport yourself back to our REPORTS hub for even more servings of knowledge.