Loro Piana and New Balance: A Quietly Luxurious Pairing
A synergistic duo
In the fall of 2024, two unlikely partners—Loro Piana, the Italian purveyor of understated luxury, and New Balance, the American brand behind the resurgence of "dad shoes"—came together to release a sneaker that’s as refined as it is unexpected. The result is the Loro Piana x New Balance 990v6, a collaboration that marries high-end craftsmanship with everyday wearability, priced at a steep $1,500 and limited to just 1,000 pairs.
Loro Piana isn’t a name you’d typically associate with sneakers. Known for its cashmere sweaters, vicuña scarves, and tailored suits that whisper wealth rather than shout it, the brand has spent a century perfecting fabrics that feel as good as they look. New Balance, on the other hand, has carved out a different niche: performance roots turned streetwear staple, with its 990 line earning a loyal following for comfort and a certain unfussy charm. Pairing these two feels like a gamble, but it’s one that pays off by leaning into what each does best.
The 990v6 itself isn’t a radical departure from New Balance’s playbook. It keeps the familiar silhouette—chunky sole, subtle curves, and that iconic "N" on the side—but swaps out the standard mesh and leather for something far more indulgent: Loro Piana’s Pecora Nera wool. Sourced from a dedicated farm in New Zealand, this rare black-sheep wool brings a soft, tactile richness to the upper, elevating the shoe beyond its athletic origins. The colorway sticks to muted tones—grays and beiges accented with a deep burgundy—that nod to Loro Piana’s earthy palette while staying versatile enough for New Balance’s crowd. It’s not flashy, and that’s the point.
This isn’t the first time New Balance has dipped into high-fashion waters. Collaborations with brands like Stone Island and Junya Watanabe have nudged the company toward a more upscale audience in recent years, but the Loro Piana link-up takes it a step further. At $1,500, these sneakers aren’t chasing the hypebeast resale market or the casual weekend jogger—they’re aimed squarely at a customer who already owns a Loro Piana coat and doesn’t blink at the price tag. The limited run, available beginning September 5, 2024, at select Loro Piana boutiques, reinforces that exclusivity. Some reports even suggest VIP clients got first dibs before the public drop.
What’s interesting here isn’t just the product but what it says about where luxury and streetwear are headed. Sneakers have been creeping into high-end wardrobes for years—think Dior’s Air Jordans or Gucci’s chunky kicks—but this collaboration feels less about trend-chasing and more about blending two distinct legacies. New Balance brings the orthopedic comfort and stateside craftsmanship (the 990v6 is still made in the U.S.), while Loro Piana adds its Italian finesse and a material story that’s almost obsessively detailed. The Pecora Nera wool, for instance, isn’t just a fancy add-on; it’s a nod to Loro Piana’s decades-long relationships with growers and its knack for turning raw fibers into something covetable.
Does it work? For the right person, absolutely. The sneaker doesn’t scream for attention—it’s not plastered with logos or dripping in neon—but it carries a quiet confidence that fits both brands’ ethos. You could wear it with jeans or a tailored overcoat and not feel out of place. Critics might argue the price is absurd for what’s still, at its core, a sneaker, and they’re not wrong to raise an eyebrow. Compared to, say, the $200 standard 990v6, the Loro Piana version is a leap that only makes sense if you’re already sold on the allure of rare wool and limited-edition bragging rights.
The collaboration landed at a fitting moment for Loro Piana, too. In 2024, the brand was celebrating its 100th anniversary with a slew of projects—new stores in Canada, a retrospective book, a Harrods takeover—and this sneaker feels like a playful flex amid the festivities. For New Balance, it’s another step in proving the "dad shoe" can hang with the luxury crowd without losing its soul. Whether it’s a one-off or the start of something bigger, the Loro Piana x New Balance 990v6 is a reminder that the best partnerships don’t just merge logos—they find common ground in the details.