Global athletic leader New Balance and Stone Island announce that are joining forces to kick off a long term relationship. Collaborative product releases will be available later this year.

Known as cultural drivers, both brands share similar values of research and functionality in their respective areas of expertise, and take an analytical approach to innovative data-driven design. Initial talks were based on the common vision of developing a footwear collaboration that will roll out in several different waves over the next few years. By transcending current trends, New Balance and Stone Island will together bring their shared values to life in new and creative ways.

“Our collaboration with Stone Island is not only rooted in performance innovation but elevating our mutual values of premium craftsmanship and superior product quality,” said Chris Davis, Chief Marketing Officer at New Balance. “Both New Balance and Stone Island are independently minded brands with strong aptitudes for calculated risk-taking. We both pride ourselves on having our fingers on the pulse of culture, elevating our rich heritage, and creating authentic brand experiences for our global consumers. We look forward to pushing the boundaries and experimenting with design.”

Each brand has strong family roots and a robust heritage, and will open their respective doors to deeper research and experimentation with the aim of collaborating on exciting product innovations.

“There are only a limited number of brands that can be referred as iconic,“ said Carlo Rivetti, President and Creative Director at Stone Island. “They are so because of the consistency throughout their history, their strong vision and endless passion put into product making, always with the aim of serving the end users. With no concession to complacency. Stone Island and New Balance have shown that they are of this breed. To exchange concepts and ideas by opening doors to each other’s R&D teams, with the aim to create great sound product, is exciting and the greatest message we can jointly convey to our audiences.”

While this collaboration highlights the ways in which New Balance and Stone Island innovate, it is exemplary of a larger story from the brands that continue to tap creative partners with a unique approach.