Joe Freshgoods is living up to his name with a fresh take on New Balance’s 2002R sneaker. The upcoming pair comes summer-ready with hints of orange, suede, and glossy overlays — arriving as part of a larger “Conversations Among Us” pack teased in March. The project includes the 2002R, as well as a revamped 550 model, each of which is expected to arrive in the coming months.
Previous Freshgoods x New Balance collaborations celebrated family and community, a theme continued by the “Conversations Among Us” pack. As creative director of the project, Joe sought to highlight Black voices and wrote on Instagram that he “wanted to tell a story of the Black experience, emphasizing crucial dialogues that connect the community while inspiring the next generation of Black creatives.” The designer also teased a photo of the 2002R’s shoebox that reads, “Designed and curated by Joseph Robinson and a team of Black associates at New Balance.”
