The Mismatched BEAMS x New Balance 550 ‘Crazy Navy’ Is Mad
The has enjoyed an incredible run since its resurrection by in 2020. Originally designed by industry polymath , the old-school basketball silhouette was long gathering dust in the archive before Teddy Santis got caught whiff of the model. In fact, the 550 was buried so deep, the NB team had to comb through Japanese catalogues for more information!
The silhouette continues to hum along in 2024, with the retro hooper no doubt popularised more broadly in the mainstream thanks to the Taylor Swift effect (Swift wore a pair of red and white 550s to support Travis Kelce at a Kansas City Chiefs NFL game late last year).
For the latest collaboration, New Balance are returning to Japan and the hallowed sartorial streets of Harajuku, where Etsuzo Shitara founded the label in the mid 1970s. Of course already working together extensively (BEAMS have collaborated on models like the M2002R, 996, 990v5 and more), the New Balance 550 ‘Crazy Navy’ comes exactly like it’s advertised on the box, with shades of navy dressing the entire colourway. Utilising primarily leather and rubber for the build, the most salient design aspect is undoubtedly the fact that the sneakers are mismatched, with different colour blocking on the left and right shoe.
Retailing for ¥22,000 or $147, the BEAMS x New Balance 550 ‘Crazy Navy’ is set to hit shelves on March 16. You can preorder from the BEAMS website.