With dedicated wearers including Stefano Pilati, Inez van Lamsweerde, Natalie Portman and Willy Vanderperre, New Balance trainers have proven themselves to be one of the most desirable sports shoes around. AnOther considers their enduring appeal...
Stefano Pilati wears them. As does Inez van Lamsweerde, Natalie Portman, Olivier Rizzo, Willy Vanderperre and Mick Jagger. Stella Tennant once sported them for a magazine cover, dressed as super stylist Joe McKenna. They were part of the late Steve Jobs' infamous Apple uniform. The item – a pair of New Balance. Trainers which have proven themselves, judging by their list of cool, understated wearers, to be one of the most desirable sports shoes around.
Despite their traditional purpose – training and running – the shoes are increasingly worn as daywear. It's a distinctly modern look – a girl in a pair of silk, ankle-skimming trousers and a pair of battered navy blue NBs. A man, in a beautiful pair of pressed trousers and cashmere knit, accompanied by dark red NBs. The look, half chic, half sportswear, is one that has already been acknowledged by Phoebe Philo and Nicolas Ghesquière, at Céline pre-fall A/W12 and Balenciaga S/S12 respectively. They are interesting propositions – we are certainly in need of options of how to look chic yet comfortable.
"It's a distinctly modern look – a girl in a pair of silk, ankle-skimming trousers and a pair of battered navy blue NBs"
It's interesting to consider the appeal of the NBs. Comfort seems to be one of their overriding strengths: any NB owner will tell you that a new pair already feel like you've been wearing them for years. But really it's the aesthetic – they're not as flashy as other trainers and their colour palette is always simple as is the choice of fabrics (suede, net and soft leather). There's also something clever about the use of style numbers for each design – knowing whether you're a 373 or a 574 instantly makes you a member of the NB cool club.
The company was founded in 1906 by William J. Riley, a 33-year-old British emigrant. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, New Balance also has a factory in Flimby on the northwest coast of England; in contrast to other manufacturers who outsource to China, Vietnam, and other developing nations. To coincide with 30 years of New Balance shoes being manufactured in the UK, AnOther spoke to factory worker Wayne McCluckie who has worked at Flimby for 15 years and is also a keen pigeon racer.
What was your first experience of New Balance?
My first experience of New Balance was about 18 years ago when I met my wife Claire – she's worked there since 1987 as a sewing machinist. Her mother Shirley used to work at New Balance too, she was a sewing machine trainer and spent 17 years training the machinists to sew before she retired in 2002. In fact, it was Shirley who got me the interview at New Balance in 1997.
What was your first role at Flimby and how has it evolved?
My first role at New Balance was a job called Back Part Moulding. After the shoes were stitched they were brought to me at moulding, where I heated up the backs and placed them onto right and left foot moulds. This is where the shoes started to take shape. I was responsible for making sure they were straight and all the backs were the same height. I spent two years doing this job before joining the making teams where I learnt all of the various processes involved in making a New Balance shoe. After 10 years making shoes I became a supervisor.
What is so special about New Balance for you?
The Flimby factory is a warm and friendly environment with an experienced and skillful work force that takes pride in making New Balance shoes.
I think the main appeal of the trainers are experience and quality. We’ve been making shoes in the USA for 100 years, and here in England for 30 years and the materials we use are the best money can buy. My favourite style is the men's 576.
For more information on the Flimby factory visit here.
Text by Laura Bradley
