STREEThing

Singapore based sneaker boutique Limited Edt has collaborated with New Balance to produce Singapore’s first ever collaboration between a local sneaker boutique and a major sporting goods company. The Made in England New Balance 577 BBL has been made in a limited run of only 140 pairs worldwide and will be priced at SGD $329. It will be released on 1^st March 2008 and each pair will be individually numbered and come in a special box with a combination lock that will correspond to the serial number of the sneaker.

The sneakers were produced to mark the 5 year anniversary of Limited Edt which first opened its door in early 2003 at Queensway Shopping Centre and was Singapore’s first sneaker boutique of its kind. According to Mandeep Chopra, General Manager of Limited Edt, ‘We chose to work with New Balance on this project as they have been very supportive of us right from day one of our opening. Back then for New Balance we only carried the Made in England range, so we decided to go back in time and chose the Made in England 577 silhouette to do a colorway that was distinctive yet not too flashy in line with the Made in England range’

Themed after Limited Edt’s store in the Heeren called the Vault. The Burgundy/Black colorway of the shoe matches the interior of the store with gold threading and gold highlights representing the opulent décor of the store. The shoe also comes with 2 sets of laces and 2 sets of lace locks. One in gold and one in silver, with the silver representing the actual mock ‘Bank Vault’ door within the store that is a secret chamber of some of the most limited, rare and sought after sneakers ever produced. Even the shoe box takes inspiration from this ‘Bank Vault’ with its metallic silver finish and the combination lock reminds you that you are purchasing a very exclusive and valuable product. The inner lining of the box is draped with maroon velvet similar to the walls that adorn the store. The graphic on the box and insole represents the handle of the ‘Bank Vault’ and was designed by Moritz Kofler an architect who hails from Germany.

All these elements add to the identity of the shoe but what stands out for us is the simple colorway and premium butter soft full leather upper and inner linings makes for a timeless classic in this day and age of crazy colorways and concoctions of different materials on one sneaker. Perhaps the New Balance tag on the shoe says it best “The more a brand shouts the less you listen. Quietly treading our own alternative path since 1906, this pair of New Balance Classics has been hand made by skilled craftsmen at our Cumbria factory in the North West of England, using only the most premium, fresh ingredients available”

This sneaker is very significant as not only does it mark the 5 year anniversary of Limited Edt but it is the first time a Singaporean sneaker store has done an official collaboration shoe. New Balance with its cult following in sneaker mad countries like Japan is fast gaining popularity with its special and limited edition range. Limited Edt Vault is also proud to be part of the New Balance Super Team 33 which is a select group of 33 stores world wide that carries their special range.

The New Balance Made in England 577 BBL will be available exclusively at Limited Edt Vault at #03-12 Heeren and Limited Edt at #01-21Queensway Shopping Centre from 1^st March 2008 onwards.