Junya Watanabe Man Debuts the New Balance Basketball’s P400 Model on the Runway in Paris

Paris Fashion Week is all about the unexpected. From avant-garde collections from the most highly regarded designers on the planet to celeb sightings and pop-up parties, the unofficial start to the fashion year is all about mystery and anticipation. At the runway show for Japanese designer Junya Watanabe, the biggest surprise came by way of a new triple-black basketball shoe from New Balance, the P400, hinting at an upcoming expansion of the brand’s collab with New Balance.

The Junya Watanabe Man x New Balance P400 is the latest triple black colorway from Watanabe and New Balance’s years-long partnership. Worn in two looks on the runway, including one paired with dress pants, a tie, and a tophat, the Junya Watanabe Man x New Balance P400 is covered in black leather across the entire upper, with a Junya Watanabe Man logo added on the tongue in white. Not much info is out there regarding the new performance basketball model itself, but we know it features Fresh FoamX tech.

Junya Watanabe has added its muted design aesthetic to plenty of New Balance silhouettes in the past, but this is the first time the designer has tackled the brand’s newly refocused performance basketball line. With young stars like Cooper Flagg wearing the shoes and Tyrese Maxey getting set to launch his first signature silhouette, New Balance basketball is reaching new heights in its mix of function, fashion, and marketing.

The Junya Watanabe Man x New Balance P400 doesn’t have a release date or retail price just yet, but with two pairs walking on the Paris runway, we’re expecting the collab colorway to drop sometime later this year. For all the latest New Balance collab news, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com