The Revisited NewBalance "M1000" – What Led to Its Revival?

The performance shoe "1000" debuted in 1999. The original model features a chunky silhouette, vibrant color combinations, and streamlined details that evoke youth culture, making it popular in the late 90s running shoe market.
 
Recently, various colorways, including the original, have gained significant attention. To understand how the "M1000" was conceived and why it is re-emerging today, we spoke with Shigeyuki Kunii, the creative director of mita sneakers, a key figure in the sneaker scene.

The "M1000" Embodying the Additive Creation of Its Time

In 1999, as the sneaker bubble of the mid-90s cooled, the landscape was a mix of retro and high-tech models. Amidst this, the "M1000" was born as a performance shoe, making its triumphant return in the 2024 Spring/Summer collection. Kunii explains the context in which the "M1000" was created.
 
"From the mid-90s, decorative and high-tech sneakers gained attention, and this model emerged during that period. In the late 90s, right before the dawn of the 21st century, designers were inclined toward a futuristic aesthetic, often more innovative than what modern people envision, and you can feel that mentality infused in the design.