New Balance Constructs New Sneakers Based On Frank Lloyd Wright’s Sketches
In the 1930s, reeling from the 1929 market crash, architect Frank Lloyd Wright dreamed up Broadacre City, a utopia founded on the values of democracy and organic living. He envisioned this city as futuristic yet agrarian, with the capacity to allocate an acre of land to each family.
While Broadacre City was never built and is just a figment of the imagination, it’s now taking form in fresh New Balance 998 sneakers. The New Balance Made in USA 998 – Broadacre City edition draws from Wright’s Broadacre City sketches in his 1932 book, The Disappearing City, and comes by way of American lifestyle brand Kith and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to commemorate the shoe style’s 35th anniversary.
The sneakers embody the visionary artworks’ varied textures and earthy hues, with a classic mesh upper, pigskin- and hairy-suede panels, and dual colorways consisting of brick red, warm apricot, and olive green.
“Wright’s philosophy of organic design responds to each new environment, client, and our changing society. Wright was always concerned with the needs of the now, so his legacy can live and grow with us, with new partnerships like our collaboration with Kith,” explains Sally Russell, Director of Licensing at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
“What I love about Wright’s work is the connection with nature,” shares Stuart Graff, the foundation’s president and CEO. “Whether it’s abstractions of natural forms in his stained glass, his use of natural materials, the seamless flow from inside to outside, and the inspiration of the landscape in Wright’s forms.”
The sneakers will be launched in three batches—the first debuting at Kith Tokyo on April 14, with Kith’s founder Ronnie Fieg in attendance to sign the kicks. They will then head to Taliesin West in Arizona, Wright’s final home and where his foundation is located, the next day. The third rollout will be held as part of a sweepstakes, running through April 16, on the Kith app.
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