VisitFlimby.com – Home of New Balance

Since the reign of King Charles II a day at the races has been a favoured British pastime for punters of all classes. Taking influence from the thundering hooves, spine-tingling excitement and distinguished outfits; New Balance has bred 3 unique 576s from its Flimby stables. With jockey inspired linings, race day themed lace keepers and exclusive edition of NB Winning Post race card these 576 thoroughbreds are worth a punt even if you don’t pick the winner at Ascot.

Available from April are ‘The Legend’ – M576RGB in grey and red; ‘The Fighter’ – M576RBB in brown and blue; and ‘The Ladies’ – W576RGP in grey and pink.

The British countryside is adorned with fairs every weekend throughout the Spring so March see’s the introduction of the 577 Country Fair pack. Paying homage to this quintessentially British tradition, Flimby has produced the M577CFR in red and the M577CFB in blue which both feature a big top tongue label; maypole candy stripped laces and a best in show rosette swing tag. Available in March at all good Friends of Flimby.

‘The Heart and Sole of Flimby’ – a New Balance film offering a snapshot into its UK factory

New Balance has launched a film which gives viewers a sneak-peek into its factory in Flimby, Cumbria. For the first time, you are able to find out the story behind what goes into making a pair of ‘Made in UK’ shoes through this unique film titled ‘The Heart and Sole of Flimby.’

The POV film follows the step-by-step manufacturing process of a pair of New Balance’s 577 Farmers’ Market shoes. Inspired by Farmers’ markets from around the UK, these limited edition shoes live up to their name and celebrate all that is British.

New Balance is the only athletic footwear brand to manufacture in the UK and the film provides rare, behind the scenes access to the workings of a modern day footwear factory.

A limited run of the New Balance Farmers’ Market 577s are available now in select retailers.

Watch the video

 

Check out our pals over in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland – a uniques experience in Edu’s Coffee & Clothing.

This week we profile our friends from Newcastle Upon Tyne – End. Read more about their set-up here.

The Size? team recently visited Flimby to see their Limited Edition M577SZE being made. The Shoe is going to be released on Saturday exclusively at selected Size? stores and Reed Space. For more photos please visit our gallery on Facebook.

In the beginning there were three pigeons; one grey, one white and one black in colour. When they were ready, the grey and white pigeons left the roost on their journey to explore their surroundings, the city of New York and the challenges it would bring. The Black Pigeon, however, was the outcast of the family. Kicked out of the nest for being too down-low and dirty he decided to travel the world, setting his mind on eventually meeting up with his elder siblings in The Big Apple. But on his quest, the Black Pigeon became lost. After a long flight, the youngest of the three pigeon brothers set himself down, only he wasn’t in New York; this was London.

For the third installment of the famed collaboration series between Staple Design and New Balance we enter the design process, adding our spin on one of New Balance’s most iconic silhouettes with the release of the 577 ‘Black Pigeon’. Celebrating 30 years of manufacturing at New Balance’s UK factory in Flimby, Cumbria, the size? x Staple Design x New Balance 577 utilises a mixture of handpicked premium materials throughout. With the ‘Black Pigeon’ toughened up on his travels, the shoe features a heavy-duty construction with a honeycombed Ripstop Nylon toe-box and robust leather paneled upper. Not forgetting the creature comforts, a soft pink felt lines the inner and adds extra warmth.

The size? x Staple Design x New Balance 577 ‘Black Pigeon’ will be available from size? and Reed Space on Saturday 17^th November 2012, globally 1^st December.

We invited UK custom sneaker artist Benji Blunt loose on a pair of UK made 1500s, celebrating 30 years of manufacturing at Flimby.
Benji added some subtle detailing to produce a unique tribute to Flimby. The new colourway adds indigo and mustard to the palette, and among the added details, a Union Jack is painted on the heel panel of both shoes. They also feature Benji’s familiar safari pattern.
What Benji said about the project: “To work with New Balance on this classic runner was great, a real honour. I wanted to utilise the Union Jack imagery I remember from the New Balance classics of my youth and represent the urban environment I grew up in, through the wording and detailing around the embroidered 1500.”

About Benji: Benji is a fresh UK based custom sneaker artist, much of whose work can be found adorning the classic shell toe silhouette. Benji uses acrylics and craft techniques to produce unique shoes for dedicated sneaker heads and sports brands. Recently Benji has worked with Marc Mac of 4Hero on a shoe for his ‘Hipology’ album. His ‘PoQee’ shoe is currently featured in the Javari.co.uk ‘Sneaking into Fashion’ exhibition in Covent Garden, London.
http://benjiblunt.com

Photos by Errol Photography.

This week we profile our friends from Berne in Switzerland – retailer Titalo. Read more about their set-up here.

New Balance are celebrating our 30 years of UK manufacturing by giving away 30 pairs of its special edition ‘Cutting Room Pack’. Each shoe is named after three of Flimby’s most dedicated employees and shoemakers, and is created from a distinctly different material, based on their creators’ respective interests and character. For the next 30 days a pair of shoes will be given away every day. Share this with your friends and spread the word. There is still time!.