Jack Harlow first made waves in the rap game with his 2020 smash hit, "WHAT'S POPPIN", which gained significant exposure on social media, particularly the video clip platform TikTok. Further hits like his feature on Lil Nas X's 2021 track "INDUSTRY BABY", 2022 single "First Class", and 2023's "Lovin on Me" added to Harlow's musical repertoire. As a rising star in the rap industry, Harlow inked a lucrative endorsement deal with New Balance in 2022, using his pull as a trendy pop culture figure to help elevate their products and be prominently featured in advertising campaigns.
Add that Jack Harlow is a big fan of New Balance, and the partnership seemed destined to happen. He even performed at the Spring 2022 grand opening of The TRACK, New Balance's innovative multisport facility in the brand's home roots of Boston. Fast forward to Spring 2024, and Jack Harlow has begun to tease the launch of his first sneaker collaboration with New Balance, showcasing a distinctive color scheme of the classic 1906R model.
The New Balance 1906R takes name inspiration from the brand's founding year. In 1906, William J. Riley, an immigrant from England, established the New Balance Arch Support Company in the Boston region. The 1906R is included in New Balance's heritage line, which celebrates its long-standing dedication to skilled craftsmanship, superior quality, as well as the intersection of style and comfort.
Jack made this statement in a press release announcing the collaboration at the time between the two parties:
"I have been rocking New Balance since I was a kid, so to officially join the brand in this way is really exciting... I’m excited to peek behind the curtain and work with the brand more."Jack Harlow, 2022
Jack Harlow put his unique flair and touch to the timeless 1906R model, reworking the retro aesthetic shoe into a fuzzy floral design with earthy and pink glamorous tones. The New Balance 1906R x Jack Harlow is certainly a bold look to pull off since it doesn't look like many other models out there, but it could also end up being a sleeper hit amongst the sneakerhead community. Not to mention those who will be raving at Jack Harlow's mere involvement in the project, and the room for success certainly outweighs the sneaker becoming a dud.
The upcoming New Balance 1906R x Jack Harlow collab might just be flamboyant enough to work.
The Instagram account @fkzsnkrs posted further first-look images of the upcoming New Balance 1906R x Jack Harlow project. These still photos of the sneaker show its attention to detail and meticulously crafted design, with silhouettes of a man and woman prominently featured on the shoes' insoles.
Fans eagerly awaiting the debut of Jack Harlow's inaugural sneaker collaboration with New Balance can look forward to a release in fall 2024. More information regarding the launch date and specific features of the shoe will be revealed in the months ahead.