In a bold move that celebrates emerging talent, Danish fashion brand Ganni has teamed up with New Balance to reimagine the iconic T500 sneaker. The collaboration, which spotlights four up-and-coming Copenhagen-based designers, invites them to put their unique spin on the classic silhouette.
The participating creatives – MASCULINA, Bonnetje, Camilla Skov and Ojuna Njama Petersen – were hand-picked by Ganni and New Balance to showcase their distinct visions. Each designer has turned the T500 into a canvas for their creativity, exploring innovative materials and techniques to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces. From ceramic sculptures to wool felt creations, these reinterpretations challenge conventional notions of what a sneaker can be.
To celebrate the launch, Ganni will host an exhibition at its Bremerholm flagship store in Copenhagen on September 20th. The event will feature the four artistic interpretations alongside the official Ganni x New Balance T500 collaboration sneaker. This leopard print version of the 1982 classic features a predominantly recycled polyester upper, polyurethane overlays, recycled polyester mesh details and a sole with 5% recycled rubber content, combining timeless style with eco-conscious design.
Ganni’s Creative director, Ditte Reffstrup, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “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.”
This collaboration marks Ganni’s second major initiative this year to promote new talent. In February, the brand hosted the “FUTURE, TALENT, FABRICS” exhibition, which showcased the work of seven emerging designers using innovative materials from Ganni’s “Fabrics of the Future” program. In addition, Ganni has become a patron of “CPHFW NEWTALENT“, providing financial support and mentorship to recipients of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s talent program.
The Ganni x New Balance T500 will be available exclusively at Ganni stores worldwide and on ganni.com from September 20th, retailing for $150 USD.
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©Photo: Ganni
