WE SET THE TRENDS: New Balance Appreciation Day @metrobar dc Recap // Custom, DC Metro Map Kicks Inspired by ‘Da New Balance Boyz’ Short Film // SZA Wears New Balance to Gym Session with Simone Biles
Photo Credit: @Lookyah
metrobar DC hosted a New Balance Appreciation Day event this past weekend, in celebration of the DMV and Baltimore’s love for the sneaker.
If you’ve ever lived in the DC Metro area, or even visited for a day, you had to notice - every other person in DC, Maryland and Virginia… (and their Momma), wearing New Balance Sneakers!
New Balance sneakers to the DMV, are like Timberland boots to NYC….
Throwback : Me, in a Bajan colored Labor Day Parade Outfit with matching Timberland Field Boots
…. You always gonna catch us rocking a pair!
New Balance Appreciation Day guests spotted in the kicks below :
Speaking of momma’s and The Big Apple; New Balance Appreciation Day, made me reflect on how I came to love the sneaker.
‘cause as native New Yorker; Nike Airmax were our go-to sneakers growing up.
As a youngster, I remember thinking “What are those??”, when my mother bought a pair of New Balance sneakers for herself.
My mother (the least materialistic person I know) wasn’t shopping for style though, she was shopping for comfort, and purchased the 990 series sneaker, because she has wide feet.
I thought the grey suede was hideous. A “Dad Shoe” at best, but today these come in different color-ways and slightly enhanced designs.
Although still worn for comfort, most teens and adults are rocking New Balance for style, and are anxious for the next drop.
Were New Balance the first, to make the “Dad Shoe” cool???
When did the brand decide to offer a variety of styles, color-ways, outsource designers, and collaborate with fashion houses?
J. Crew x New Balance “Concrete Jungle” - 2014
Most Fashion Enthusiasts know about J.Crew x New Balance collaborations dating back to 2005 or 2006. The business partners, even dropped anniversary and athletic collections.
But when did New Balance began to collaborate with urban streetwear designers like Salehe Bembury, the guy who DC native, Wale references in his 2021 record New Balances?
According to JD Sports, 990s New Balance became a status of street culture in DC, in the 1980’s. FatBuddhaStore shared a detailed history of New Balance culture as well.
Sometime between the 80s and 90’s, DC and Baltimore began to rival over which city made the tennis shoes trendy, but most know; it was DC natives.
Guests take a flick
at
New Balance Appreciation Day sporting the kicks below :
Then in 1998, New Balance dropped the 576s Trainers and showcased the series with an ELLE Magazine feature cover, worn by Super Models’ Alek Wek, Laetitia Casta and Honor Fraser. That’s when the game changed.
This time period also solidified the idea, that New Balance were unisex. Most styles could be worn by men and women.
Me in the Black Leather New Balance 576 (Silver Reflector “N”) at school 1998, New York City.
I hate this pic by the way. Lol
I copped the Black Leather 576 version with reflector “N”, but I really loved my 576 Burgundy (or Brown, as they call them) Pebbled Leather New Balance w/ reflector “N” and back reflector.
By the way, I’m almost certain mine had pebbled leather, but if anyone can prove me wrong; please comment below.
The pic below is the closest to the style I had. You may still be able to cop these on eBay or Kicks Crew.
New Balance 576 Burgundy (Brown) with “N” reflector and back reflector.
Anyways…. Enough scrolling down the - ‘My love for New Balance’, rabbit hole!
Here’s a slideshow of my favorite styles at metrobar.
Much respect to the Event Producers, Sponsors and DJ who kept the vibes cool, on a hot and humid day.
Connect with everyone involved at the social links below:
Powered by: metrobar x Beats, Bars & Bourbn
Sponsored by: DTLR and Old Line Sprts and SKRUED
Host: Killa Cal the Animal of the Rare Essence Band
Music: DJ Biggs
Food: Who Want Smke and KC Kitchen Plug and Natral Yaad Cuisine
Auto Show: Adrenaline Lifestyles
Special Guest Panel Discussion with:
Big G of the Backyard Band (Washington D.C.)
Mustafa of DC Decades (Washington D.C.)
B Bullz of Beats, Bars & Bourbn (Baltimore)
Just for the for the fun of it, I created a gallery of my favorite looks, and a few of the sneakers I wasn’t familiar with, and decided to research.
Browse images to view selected styles.
Sorry to be repetitious, but it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t double back and highlight my favorite, absolutely rare kicks from the event.
Shop your faves by hitting the links below.
As you can see from the visuals; we had a great time. Good vibes all around. Looking forward to the next one….
After grabbing a ‘Shroom Burger and Peaches and Cream Shake at Shake Shack; the homie and I, capped off the night with some friends in Adams Morgan and learned; about short film being released on Rick Ross’ SCK Media TV Network, called, Da New Balance Boyz.
The film produced by DC native, Worldwar Polo, even collaborated with a local footwear designer, to create custom 990v6s with a DC Metro map. They’re actually kind of fresh! See here for yourself.
SZA & Simone Biles flex their athletic skills for NBC Sports in preparation for Paris 2024 Olympics
While we’re on the topic of 990v6 New Balance, who else peeped SZA flexing in what appears to be New Balance 990v6 Women's Grey Running Sneakers in the gymnasium, with 7-time Olympic Medalist and Extaordinary Gymnast, Simone Biles?
The ladies bonded during ‘Part 1’ of an NBC Sports gym session, where SZA showed off her gymnastic skills, ahead the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Biles will compete in a few weeks.
As the aunt to an very talented growing gymnast Viviana, (remember her name), this makes me so proud!
Do your thing ladies! I can’t wait to see even more greatness.
Going back to my earlier thought, if there’s anything I’ve learned from New Balance Appreciation Day, it’s that; It doesn’t matter when the brand scaled and the Creative Directors embraced, different color-ways, alternate versions, and collabs.
New Balance, designs classic, comfortable, everlasting footwear. It’s a brand built and sustained by visionaries; ahead of the curve, and here for the long run.