Salehe Bembury Teases New Balance 1890
Salehe Bembury's New Balance 1890 "Baklava" is teasing bold colors following his successful 990v6 and 1906R collaborations. No release date announced yet but the designer's previous NB drops have been instant sellouts. The "Baklava" name suggests food-inspired colorways continuing his culinary design themes.
While Salehe Bembury has not officially announced a "Baklava" colorway, his history of using food-inspired names like "Cucumber," "Guava," and "Citrus Milk" for his popular Crocs collaborations has sneaker enthusiasts anticipating a culinary theme for his take on the New Balance 1890. Bembury's partnership with New Balance began in 2020 and is marked by a series of highly coveted releases. His collaborations often feature outdoor and nature-inspired concepts, such as the "Peace Be the Journey" and "Water Be the Guide" editions of the 2002R model, which drew inspiration from Antelope Canyon. The New Balance 1890 is a relatively new silhouette from the Boston-based brand. Its design is a hybrid, borrowing the upper from the archival 890v3 running shoe and the full-length ABZORB midsole from the original 2002 model. The 1890 has already been the subject of a collaboration with rapper and chef Action Bronson, who released his own "Baklava" themed colorways dubbed "Cyborg Tears" and "Hornet Tusk." This established the silhouette as a canvas for creative partnerships before a potential Bembury version. Bembury is known for his masterful use of texture and vibrant, often unconventional, color palettes that stand out in the sneaker landscape. His work has been credited with helping to revitalize and generate significant hype for the brands he works with, including his transformation of the Crocs Pollex Clog. The designer frequently teases upcoming projects on social media, giving followers glimpses of unreleased samples and new colorways. This practice keeps anticipation high within the sneaker community for his next move with New Balance.
