Casablanca Brings "Effortless Elegance" to Latest New Balance Collaboration

After teasing a selection of upcoming collaborative New Balance sneakers in its recent Fall/Winter 2021 presentation, Casablanca and the Boston-based sneaker brand come together for another forthcoming release, this time introducing an all-new 237 silhouette, alongside another rework of the popular 327.

Dressed in the French label’s jacquard monogram, both sneakers boast textile overlays that wrap around the toe and heel area, while an oversized “N” logo — a feature that’s become synonymous with the pair’s collaborations — is housed on the medial side of the 327’s perforated upper, and both sides of the 237. Both sit atop a green nubbed sole that creeps onto the upper, although the 237’s white and pink rubber sole takes on a more classic appearance to that of the 327’s sports-inspired shaping.

“The 237 is a softer, more versatile silhouette,” explains Charaf Tajer, Casablanca’s French-Moroccan designer. “For us it was about bringing the effortless elegance of Casablanca into the design of the silhouette. With all of the New Balance collaborations we always work together on creating a classic silhouette that is timeless”.

Described as a “direct descendant to the 327”, the 237 takes notes from its predecessor with elegance remaining the brand’s main focus. “It has the same DNA [as the 327], but some of the lines and forms of the panels are less aggressive, more sleek,” continues Tajer. “Straight lines are replaced with rippled lines that run through the silhouette from the toe box, to the outsole”.

With no less than three 327 collaborations in 2020, Tajer admitted he has a deep emotional connection with the popular silhouette. “It [the 327] was our first collaboration with New Balance, we’re so proud to see how much of a classic and timeless silhouette this has gone on to become,” he explained. “Looking ahead we are working with New Balance on some exciting projects for the future, we’re always trying to evolve. But the 327 will always be my first love”.

Both styles will be releasing on February 27 via the Casablanca webstore and select stockists including HBX, retailing at $150 USD.

In other sneaker news, check out the Whitaker Group’s exclusive Nike Waffle One, which is inspired by Bill Bowerman’s footwear experiments.