Where to Snag the Salehe Bembury x New Balance 991v2 “Colors Be The Palette”

Alright sneakerheads, I’ve got some news that had me spilling my morning coffee all over my keyboard this week. Trust me, it was worth it. Salehe Bembury has been at it again, teasing us with yet another collaboration that’s about to empty our wallets and fill our hearts with joy.

I still remember my first pair of New Balance sneakers. They were boring, dad-shoe white, and I bought them because my actual dad said they were “sensible.” Fast forward to 2024, and here I am, setting alarms and bookmarking websites to make sure I don’t miss out on what might be the least “sensible” (but most awesome) New Balance drop of the year.

What Makes These Kicks Special?

Let me paint you a picture: imagine if your favorite fuzzy purple monster from a children’s TV show decided to become a sneaker. That’s essentially what the Salehe Bembury x New Balance 991v2 “Colors Be The Palette” looks like – and I mean that as the highest compliment.

These shoes feature a shaggy purple suede upper that I’m pretty sure would feel like petting a very fancy, very expensive cat. Then there are these bright blue, green, and yellow accents that pop against the purple like fireworks on a summer night. They’re the kind of shoes that make people stop you on the street to ask, “Whoa, what are THOSE?” (And yeah, that happened to me last time I wore a Bembury collab.)

The best part? They’re Made in UK, which is basically the sneaker equivalent of “fancy Italian restaurant” versus “fast food joint.” The quality difference is real, folks.

Where Can You Buy Them?

Now for the million-dollar question (or rather, the $250 question): where can you actually get your hands on these purple beauties? Based on previous Bembury releases, here’s my insider scoop:

• Salehe Bembury’s Website: Your first stop should be salebembury.com. Last time I tried copping from here, I was in line behind what felt like the entire population of Earth, but it’s still your best direct source.
• New Balance Official: The New Balance website will likely drop these, but be ready to refresh like your life depends on it.
• Select Retailers: Boutiques like Kith, Dover Street Market, and End Clothing typically get limited quantities. I once drove 40 minutes to a boutique drop only to find out they had received exactly 12 pairs. I was person number 13 in line. Learn from my mistakes, friends.

The official release date is still being kept under wraps, which is driving me absolutely bonkers. I’ve literally been checking Instagram every morning like it’s the morning newspaper. My wife has started to question my sanity. “They’re just shoes,” she says. Oh, honey, if only you knew.

Why Bembury Collabs Cause Such Frenzy

For those wondering why I’m making such a big deal about these, let me explain: Salehe Bembury isn’t just any designer. Before he became the sneaker world’s golden child, he was design director at Versace. Yeah, THAT Versace.

He’s since worked his magic with brands like Crocs (turning them from garden shoes to grail status), Yeezy, and of course, New Balance. I’ve personally watched his collaborations sell out in minutes, then appear on resale sites for double or triple the price faster than you can say “hype beast.”

What sets his designs apart is how he brings this organic, almost nature-inspired vibe to technical footwear. The man literally named one of his most famous designs after a gorge he hiked through. Who does that? Salehe does, and that’s why we love him.

Is $250 Really Worth It?

Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it – $250 is a lot of money for sneakers. That’s like 50 coffees, or one really nice dinner, or 250 packages of ramen noodles if you’re budgeting like I did in college.

But here’s the thing: I’ve never regretted a Bembury purchase. The quality is exceptional, the comfort is there, and frankly, wearing them just makes me happy. They’re conversation starters, mood boosters, and in a weird way, little pieces of wearable art.

Plus, if we’re being totally honest, they’ll probably be worth more the second they sell out. Not that I’m advocating buying them just to flip them – that’s a whole different moral dilemma I’m not getting into today!

So there you have it, my fellow sneaker enthusiasts. Keep your eyes peeled, notifications turned on, and maybe practice your checkout speed in the meantime. Based on how gorgeous these purple monsters look, the competition’s gonna be fierce. And if you manage to snag a pair, feel free to send me a picture to make me wildly jealous.

Until next time, happy hunting!