Joe Freshgoods and New Balance Are Bringing Back Their Most Popular Collaboration — With a New Twist
Since their first link-up in February 2020 on the “No Emotions Are Emotions” collaboration, Chicago-based designer Joe Freshgoods and New Balance have consistently elevated the footwear brand’s streetwear stature. As the five-year mark of their debut project approaches, Joe Freshgoods and New Balance will be returning to where it all started, but this time with a twist.
After appearing early on eBay last week, Joe Freshgoods officially revealed the new collaboration Monday.
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Based on the nickname and the color palette of the new shoes, it’s possible the upcoming release is intended to reference the original Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 992 “No Emotions Are Emotions,” but with a worn-in, faded look, hence the “Aged Well” concept.
The latest pair features a muted, washed-out representation of the vibrant reds and pinks used on the first Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 992. Other details, such as the brown leather tongue and heel accents, remain the same. And this time around, the shoe’s tongue and heel badges read “JFG” in place of the “DBM” and “USA” lettering found on the original pair. Multiple shoelaces come with the sneaker, including white, pink, light blue and green options along with a pair that appears stained.
Joe Freshgoods, whose real name is Joseph Robinson, got his start in streetwear in 2014 after co-founding Chicago’s Fat Tiger Workshop. He parlayed that momentum into starting the Joe Freshgoods brand, which gained a cult following in Chicago before fully taking off with the New Balance partnership.
And for New Balance, the first Joe Freshgoods collaboration was pivotal in helping to reestablish its cool factor after a 2016 statement by its vice president of public affairs was seen as an endorsement of President Donald Trump. The footwear brand’s damage control would take years, and it wasn’t solely Joe Freshgoods that helped New Balance rebound, but the ’20 NBA All-Star Weekend release of his first 992 felt like a pivotal moment.
The resale value for the original “No Emotions Are Emotions” 992, which is sometimes called “Anatomy of a Heart,” is currently over $3,000, so it’s safe to say fans will be eager to get a chance at the follow-up release.
An official release date for the Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 992 “Aged Well” has not been confirmed, but a February launch is expected.
