The Brands Invite Copenhagen-Based Creatives to Reimagine New Balance’s T500 Sneaker
Ganni and New Balance have announced a special collaborative collection based around New Balance’s T500 sneaker. The initiative spotlights rising design talent in the Copenhagen fashion scene, of which Ganni is a leader, enlisting fellow designers to add their own twist to the collection.
The collaboration brings together four rising Copenhagen-based creatives – MASCULINA, Bonnetje, Camilla Skov, and Ojuna Njama Petersen – invited by Ganni and New Balance to reimagine the iconic T500 silhouette. Each creative will use the shoe as a blank canvas for their unique interpretations, showcasing their artistic vision.
To celebrate this collaboration, Ganni and New Balance plan to host an exhibition featuring these four distinctive designs, alongside the official shoe collaboration, at the Ganni Bremerholm flagship store. The event is set to coincide with the official launch on September 20th.
In 2024, Ganni reinforced its commitment to nurturing new talent by becoming a patron of ‘CPHFW NEWTALENT,’ contributing a biannual financial bursary to Copenhagen Fashion Week’s talent support scheme. This support aims to uplift emerging designers in today’s challenging financial climate. In addition to financial assistance, Ganni participates in a mentoring program to provide ongoing support to the recipients of CPHFW NEWTALENT. The creative project with New Balance, which encourages emerging artists to reinterpret the T500, marks Ganni’s second major initiative of the year focused on supporting new talent. Earlier in February 2024, Ganni hosted the ‘FUTURE, TALENT, FABRICS’ exhibition in Copenhagen, showcasing the work of seven budding designers who used innovative materials from Ganni’s ‘Fabrics Of The Future’ program, as well as leftover and waste materials.
Each of the four participating creatives brings a distinct perspective to the Ganni x New Balance T500, exploring the silhouette’s artistic possibilities. Their reinterpretations, ranging from ceramic versions to woolen felt creations, push the boundaries of artistic expression and seek to find their creative “new balance.”
“Collaborating with emerging talents and independent creatives has always been a source of joy and purpose for me, and I am thrilled to share our platform with these talented individuals who embody such strong and unique creative visions. The T500 silhouette is a true archival favourite for me, and it was an honour to be invited to reinterpret this iconic shoe some 40 years after its inception,” said Ditte Reffstrup, Creative Director of Ganni.
First released in 1982, the T500 is celebrated as an iconic design. In this latest collaboration, Ganni and New Balance have reimagined the classic minimalist silhouette, infusing it with Ganni’s signature leopard print. The shoe, which includes over 80% recycled polyester content in its upper composition, 20% polyurethane overlays, 100% recycled polyester mesh detailing, and a sole made with 5% recycled rubber, combines timeless style with modern sustainability.
The Ganni x New Balance T500 will retail for $150 USD and will be available exclusively at Ganni stores worldwide and on Ganni.com starting September 20th.
