Salehe Bembury and New Balance Announce 'Universal Communication' Collection

Salehe Bembury and New Balance are expanding their partnership with a new 'Universal Communication' collection. The offerings are the most expansive from Bembury and New Balance yet: four styles of the 574 'Yurt', plus a full capsule of apparel and accessories.

The 'Yurt' are quite unlike any 574 we've laid eyes on before. Key features include a double-stacked midsole with NB's ABZORB and Rollbar tech, a sporty mesh upper that's more in line with Bembury's past 2002R collaborations than the 574, and a ripstop tongue with 'Yurt' branding. There is some familiarity to be had on the midfoot, however, thanks to a suede quarter with a recognisable N logo. The quartet of colourways includes a boisterous olive, red, navy and brown, and a standard grey, both of which have been previously seen, plus a Sprite-like yellow, green and blue, and a bold red, white and blue.

Standing out above all pieces both new and familiar is the heel's special adornment: a working whistle. At once practical and whimsical, it produces a shrill sound when blown – often demonstrated by Bembury himself, to the delight of his Instagram followers – and may be the piece that bestows the collection with its moniker.

'Universal Communication' also includes Bembury's first-ever apparel and accessory collection with New Balance. The designer's penchant for bright and bold tones are on display across fleece pieces, scarves, tees, hats, CamelBak backpacks, and more, many of which also make use of the designer's signature fingerprint motif.

Just like past collaborations, the collection is accompanied by a humorous video starring Bembury's friend and former Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams. Over the course of the video, Williams – who's clearly relishing life post-television – dons a giant fake beard, lets out a hearty 'YERRRRR' (a nod to Bembury's New York roots) and receives responses from several whistle-blowing wearers of Bembury's sneakers.

Bembury has yet to announce release information for the 'Universal Communication' collection, but is encouraging interested parties to join the email list in his Instagram bio for more information.