New Balance is making waves in the sneaker world with a stunning new colorway: indigo. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the New Balance 1500, the Made in Japan collection is releasing limited-edition versions of this iconic ‘80s sneaker, featuring a rich indigo dye that pays homage to traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Indigo dyeing, known as aizome, has been an integral part of Japanese design since the 12th century, and the New Balance 1500 proudly joins this heritage. It’s not just New Balance getting in on the trend; ASICS, in collaboration with AIREI, has also released limited-edition handmade sneakers that showcase this beautiful indigo technique, blurring the lines between art and footwear.
For the New Balance 1500’s special release, only three pairs of the hand-dyed sneakers will be given away, while one will be displayed in the New Balance Harajuku store. This makes the indigo colorway a rare find. However, there’s still good news: the anniversary collection will also feature a light grey option with blue and cream accents, ensuring that fans can still celebrate the sneaker’s legacy.
The Made in Japan New Balance 1500 sneakers will be available starting in November, exclusively on New Balance’s Japanese website, priced at 79,200 yen (approximately $520). While this is significantly more than the standard UK-made New Balance 1500, which retails around $240, it’s a price tag that reflects the special nature of this anniversary celebration.