Return of the Legendary Collaborative Model: The New Balance "MT580 GTX MASTERPIECE SOUND × Hombre Niño × mita sneakers" Is Here!

The "MT580 HECTIC × mita sneakers," a collaboration model that was innovative and pioneered store-led collaborations upon its release in 2000. On October 7, 2023, seven years later, the legendary collaboration returns as "MT580 GTX MASTERPIECE SOUND × Hombre Niño × mita sneakers."

This article explores the story behind the revival of this precious collaboration, sharing insights on the development process and the unique characteristics of the model from key players behind the project, including Shigeyuki Kunii, Creative Director of mita sneakers, and Tetsuya Shono of New Balance who also worked on this collaboration.

The Legendary Collaboration Model was a Battle Against Convention

Originally debuting in 1996 as an off-road running model, the "MT580" was an obscure model that ended up in bargain sales. Its popularity spread worldwide due to the legendary collaborations that emerged in the street scenes of the 2000s.

"When the initial collaboration was released, I was in charge of in-house planning and design. I was close friends with Kunii, and we frequently exchanged information. He often provided feedback on the models we were developing." (Shono)
 
"It may seem like a glamorous history once it is documented, but personally, I found it to be a battle against established notions. When we first started the collaboration project, I was a young 20-something who didn't know much about the process, having to present in front of adults in a New Balance meeting room. I had to explain what HECTIC was as a street brand, and how a partnership could produce synergy.
 
"The model itself wasn't well-known, and not all sneaker fans understood street brands at the time. Indeed, there were many shops with greater influence and recognition than mita sneakers, so it's true that we often faced headwinds throughout the process." (Kunii)