BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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The sneaker industry has been shaken once again as Kith founder Ronnie Fieg officially introduces his first-ever original New Balance silhouette: the New Balance 2011.
More than just a collaboration, the New Balance 2011 Ronnie Fieg marks a defining milestone in a partnership that has spanned over 15 years and produced nearly 100 collaborative projects across footwear and apparel.
Designed in collaboration with legendary New Balance designer Sam Pearce, the New Balance 2011 represents a major evolution in Fieg’s creative journey—transitioning from collaborator to full silhouette creator for one of the most respected brands in performance footwear history.
The unveiling of the New Balance 2011 is deeply tied to the long-standing relationship between Kith and New Balance. Over the years, the partnership has delivered 92 collaborative models, each pushing the boundaries of storytelling, material innovation, and modern sneaker culture.
Now, for the first time, Ronnie Fieg steps into full creative ownership of a silhouette, marking a pivotal shift in his design legacy. The New Balance 2011 is positioned not as a one-off release, but as a long-term addition to the brand’s performance and lifestyle archive.
According to Fieg, the project has been in development for over two years, undergoing multiple rounds of refinement to achieve its final form.
The New Balance 2011 was not created overnight. The development process reportedly stretched across two years of intensive prototyping, involving more than 20 sampling rounds to perfect proportions, materials, and performance balance.
Every design decision was intentional—from panel placement to material layering—ensuring the silhouette reflects both heritage running DNA and modern lifestyle appeal.
At the core of the model is a technical fusion of aesthetics and performance. The sneaker is built using a hybrid construction approach that blends archival inspiration with updated cushioning technology for improved wearability.
The result is a silhouette that feels both nostalgic and futuristic at the same time.
The creative concept behind the New Balance 2011 is rooted in a symbolic narrative: a seed planted in 2011 that grows into a fully formed tree over 15 years of collaboration, trust, and creative evolution.
To bring this vision to life, Kith commissioned New York illustrator Zac Crawford, who developed a series of hand-drawn artworks that visually map the entire journey of the partnership.
This narrative is reflected throughout the campaign visuals and packaging, reinforcing the idea that the sneaker is not just a product—but a living timeline of creative growth.
To celebrate the milestone, Kith and New Balance introduced a custom 15th Anniversary Crest, which appears across multiple elements of the release.
The crest features:
This branding is embedded across:
The design reinforces the collectible nature of the release while honoring the longevity of the partnership.
The debut launch of the New Balance 2011 arrives in two carefully crafted colorways that reflect natural growth and seasonal evolution.
The “Sakura Flower” colorway introduces a soft yet striking pink-based palette inspired by cherry blossom tones. Early prototypes leaned toward lighter pastel execution, but the final design was refined for deeper visual contrast.
Key updates include:
The result is a refined, emotionally expressive colorway that balances softness with bold detailing.
The “Leaf Green” iteration takes a more grounded, nature-inspired direction. Originally designed with a standard mesh upper and bright midsole, the final version underwent a major material overhaul.
Key refinements include:
This version leans heavily into heritage aesthetics, giving it a worn-in, timeless character.
Alongside the footwear, Kith is releasing a complementary apparel capsule inspired by the same design language.
The collection includes two standout pieces:
Kayce Jersey
Chase Jersey
Both pieces extend the storytelling of the New Balance 2011 into wearable lifestyle apparel.
To mark the scale of this release, Kith has also unveiled its newly redesigned West Hollywood flagship store located at 8500 Sunset Boulevard.
Designed in collaboration with architect Ben Porto, the store features:
At the center of the space is a permanent New Balance heritage installation, showcasing the full evolution of the 15-year partnership between Kith and New Balance.
Early access to select pieces from the collection was offered exclusively at the flagship ahead of the global release.
The New Balance 2011 Ronnie Fieg collaboration represents more than a sneaker launch—it is a full-scale storytelling project rooted in legacy, craftsmanship, and long-term creative evolution.
With its carefully engineered design, symbolic narrative, and premium execution, the New Balance 2011 sets a new benchmark for what modern sneaker collaborations can achieve when built over time rather than trend cycles.
