WTAPS® x New Balance "M992WT"
Japan's WTAPS® and New Balance announce the release of the "M992WT". A special edition collaborative take on the New Balance's 992 made in USA silhoutte. WTAPS founder Tetsu Nishiyama and New Balance’s Tetsuya Shono discuss the collaboration including colour choices and inspiration in the interview below
Nishiyama (hereinafter N) "I had several offers to New Balance before, and I had no connection at that time, but this time I received an offer from New Balance and this project started in 2018"
Shono (hereinafter S) "A plan to create something together with a Japanese brand came up based on the M992 that was originally reprinted after the original was released in 2006, and the WTAPS name was the first. Personally, I've been a fan of FORTY PERCENT AGAINST RIGHTS® (predecessor to WTAPS), and I'm particular about not only graphics and design, but also store interior and packaging, and share that world view with customers. The image of a brand.
N "I used to wear brown leather M576 when I was in high school at the entrance of New Balance, and I started to wear it as more familiar everyday wear from around 2014 when my child was born. It is a staple of the Nishiyama family, who have been buying new shoes for their husbands and wives every time they play tatters in the park.
S "At first, I felt that there was a difference in the image between WTAPS and New Balance, but I was asked to use New Balance in the visual of WTAPS, I saw Nishiyama wearing New Balance in a magazine, this is WTAPS I offered because I thought it was only now to realize the new challenge of collaborating with.
S "The M992, which is the ninth generation of the 900 series, one of New Balance's flagships, was released in 2006 and was adopted as a model commemorating the 100th anniversary of the company's founding. Despite this, it continues the traditional style by following the theory of the 900 series that evolves without changing the design much, but the midsole is called SBS ABZORB with improved cushioning and durability. For the first time, we have installed shock absorbing materials in the 900s. The 2020 model, which was the first reproduction of M992, which is special for New Balance, faithfully reproduces the original silhouette. ”
N “I thought that if you finished with olive drab from the upper to the sole, the impression of WTAPS would be too much, so while blending the olive drab in a gray tone that seems to be New Balance, I finished the whole with gradation. Orange, which is the identity of WTAPS, is matched with the midsole and the outsole is matched with the teal.It was designed so as not to contaminate the elegant image of New Balance (laugh).
S "The embossed texture of the tongue and heel is an arrangement of the details of Mr. Nishiyama's favorite M998. When I saw the successive archives at the meeting, I also diligently observed M998 and photographed the details. However, it gives the M992WT an exquisite accent. ''
N “I found it difficult, but I was able to fulfill the request for the WTAPS brand logo. The brand logo woven into the heel panel is the symbol of this collaboration.”
S "Displaying branding other than our own on the shoe itself was unusual, but we were able to realize it as a global project."
N "I felt that the finish of the sample was like the style of Made in USA. It was difficult to imagine the whole color scheme in my head because of the large number of parts and complicated switching that are the characteristics of M992. The feeling of designing by groping was interesting in the sense of an experimental trial. "
S "In addition to the unexpected combination of New Balance and WTAPS, it was also a big challenge to stick to American products. It took time to make samples at the American factory, so please wait for a while. Wasn't it difficult to say that it was difficult to translate the color instructions created by Mr. Nishiyama by incorporating the color blur from the experience rule, but it was more fun and enjoyable than that. It was a project ”
N “It was a new challenge for me as well. I felt the difficulty of collaborating to make the best use of each other's branding, but the gradation from olive drab to gray did not compromise the quality of the new balance. I think that it also expresses the WTAPS-likeness. I can't wait for the release date. ”
The WTAPS® x New Balance "M992WT" is available by raffle now
