Back in January, Joseph Robinson – also known as Joe Freshgoods – took to Twitter to tease that he had a New Balance 550 on the way. While the Chicago-native may still have his own personal take on the ever-popular sneaker in the works, Robinson recently unveiled the pair he’s led creative direction for as part of the “Conversations Amongst Us” campaign and footwear and apparel capsule.
Announced at the tail-end of February, the “Conversations Amongst Us” initiative, as Robinson has told it, is much more than a Black History Month play. Beginning this month and spanning the remainder of 2022, the designer will help direct the release of at least 12 different New Balance sneakers, short films and apparel (with arguably his proudest achievement being the most latter) centered around Black creatives from the NB family. Joe Freshgoods has teased visuals featuring Storm Reid, brand ambassador, with custom shoe boxes for all “Conversations Amongst Us” footwear shouting out “a team of Black associates at New Balance” for their role in co-designing and co-curating the collection.
The “Conversations Amongst Us” 550 seem free of any “JFG” branding, but boast the initiative’s name on the sock-liners. The remainder of the shoe – which is rumored to be accompanied by the New Balance 2002R among other silhouettes – is left to indulge in a cream-colored ensemble reminiscent of AURALEE’s own collaboration from August 2021. Canvas, however, takes over much of the Joe Freshgoods-assisted release’s upper, winning a comparison to a “white tee in the summer” from Robinson himself in an Instagram post. Hairy suede around the ankle and at the heel work in-tandem with a yellowed sole unit to interrupt the sneaker’s rather tonal look that’ll surely grant maximum versatility to wearers.
Enjoy a first-look at the New Balance 550 “Conversations Amongst Us” led by Joe Freshgoods ahead, and expect a NewBalance.com launch as summer inches closer.
For more from the Boston-based brand, check out the BAPE 57/40.
