First introduced by Junya Watanabe earlier this year, the New Balance 1906L Loafer takes the popular New Balance 1906R and transforms it into a sleek, loafer-inspired silhouette that seamlessly blends performance and style.
At first glance, the 1906L loafer may seem like an unexpected departure from the typical New Balance offering. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that this model is a natural evolution of the brand’s design philosophy. By grafting the performance-oriented composition of the 1906R onto a loafer shape, New Balance has created a shoe that effortlessly bridges the gap between athletic functionality and sophisticated fashion.
This isn’t the first time New Balance has experimented with such a concept. The 2002R mule, which preceded the 1906L loafer, served as a frequent point of comparison and internal guideline for the design team. Senior Footwear Designer Charlotte Lee acknowledged this, stating, “Our 2002R had evolved into a mule for a few projects and the loafer felt like a more progressive version of that […] There is no longer a hard line between sports and luxury.”
New Balance’s collaborations with high-end labels such as AURALEE and Miu Miu undoubtedly influenced the creation of the 1906L Loafer. These partnerships have encouraged the brand to embrace the high-low styling concepts that are increasingly making their way onto the runways and into the wardrobes of fashion-forward individuals.
The New Balance 1906L Loafer will be released on September 19th at a retail price of $160 USD.
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©Photo: New Balance
