Balmain’s sneaker offering has broadened and diversified in recent years, from its retro-leaning B-Ball to its more futuristically styled B-Runner. But its signature shape is arguably the BBold, a double-strapped style which was introduced last summer.The brand’s latest reworking of the style, though, is something of a curveball: a link-up with the New York-based gym Dogpound. The collaborative style features the Dogpound logo emblazoned across its top straps, and comes in a monochromatic palette.Though it might seem like an unexpected choice for a partner, in many ways it makes sense: in Dogpound became famous for orchestrating the workouts of Victoria’s Secret models, many of whom have also featured in Balmain’s shows and campaigns. In a statement, Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing noted the “common outlook and spirit” that the brand shares with Dogpound, and his belief that the linkup makes “perfect sense.”He describes the aesthetic of the BBold as “luxe-meets-rebel”, a sensibility that he also feels is applicable to Dogpound and its “unusual sense of community.”The limited edition BBold x Dogpound low-top is available now for Dogpound clients, and will become available to the wider public from December 8th at Balmain’s webstore and Dogpound’s website. It will retail for $1095 USD.
