A Short History of JJJJound’s Best Footwear Collaborations
HYPEBEAST takes a look at some of the brand’s most successful link-ups, ahead of its latest New Balance release later this week.
Over the years, JJJJound has garnered a reputation for its collaborations. Founded by Justin Saunders as a sort of digital mood board back in 2006, the Montreal-based creative studio has partnered with some of the world’s biggest labels, most notably when it comes to footwear.
Arguably one of its most renowned partnerships to-date happened in 2020 alongside New Balance, which saw JJJJound take two runs at the Boston brand’s epochal 992 silhouette. Now — following a link-up last year on the 990v4 — the pair are reuniting for 2022 for an “Olive” 990v3 that’s set to drop later this week.
Ahead of its release, HYPEBEAST took a look at some of JJJJound’s best collaborations to-date, with plenty more expected throughout the year.
Reebok
Jjjjound/Reebok
Back in 2020, JJJJound teamed up with Reebok for a minimalist take on its Classic Nylon silhouette. Crafted with a crisp white nylon alongside accents of contrasting leather, the subtle upper sat atop a creamy off-white lightweight EVA midsole, and came equipped with fuzzy terry clothing lining for added comfort. Completed with the JJJJound logo on the sides, the sneaker sold out almost immediately, quickly reaching almost double its £150 (approximately $204 USD) retail price on various resell sites.
Danner
Jjjjound/Danner
Teaming up with American footwear label Danner, JJJJound had its say on the brand’s rugged mountain boots towards the end of 2020. Dousing the ankle silhouette in a rich brown suede, JJJJound remained in keeping with its minimal aesthetic, opting for subtle embossed branding and pleasing tonal seams. Danner branding was found at the top of the tongue with the Canadian label’s motif at the rear quarter, beneath silver-toned eyelets and thick cream-colored laces.
BAPE
Jjjjound/Bape
Any brand that collaborates with BAPE is heading towards sought-after status, but when that brand is JJJJound it’s going to another level. Partnering for a three-piece capsule earlier this year, the duo dropped a co-branded hoodie and a tee, alongside a stand-out take on BAPE’s iconic STA silhouette. Arriving in a neutral color palette, the sneaker housed smooth leather uppers and a crisp white midsole unit, which sat beneath BAPE’s unmistakable star logo, heel overlays and treading contrast in a light gray shade, with JJJJound branding found on both the heel and insole.
Vans
Jjjjound/Vans
JJJJound and Vans teamed up last year for three iterations of the latter’s Sk8-Mid silhouette in green, black and brown, following a debut link up back in 2017. For this capsule, the green and brown colorways were dressed in two different shades to create a tonal design, contrasting with the monochrome appearance of the black colorway. Celebrating JJJJound’s utilitarian aesthetic, each sneaker boasts a suede upper which sits atop a durable white rubber waffle sole, with a subtle heel tag at the rear housing the JJJJound motif.
Dr Martens
Jjjjound/Dr. Martens
Jjjjound/Dr. Martens
It took surprisingly long for JJJJound to hook up with Dr. Martens, yet it finally happened in July last year. Reimagining the footwear label’s Archie II, JJJJound presented the silhouette in “Dark Brown Crazy Horse” and “Black Wyoming” leather, with the former said to represent the contemporary creative, and the latter the traditional creative. The instantly-recognisable signature yellow welt stitching was found on each take, with the Wyoming sitting atop a “Smoke” V18 outsole and the “Brown Crazy Horse” upon a trans V18 outsole.
Padmore & Barnes
Jjjjound/Padmore & Barnes
Padmore & Barnes’ P204 shoe is about as versatile as they come. Inspired by a traditional moccasin silhouette, its simple construction makes it perfect for both dressed-up and casual occasions. Teaming up with JJJJound for Fall/Winter 2021, the shoe — which is often crafted with plush suede — came built with a premium black leather, atop a matching crepe sole. Inside, the liners contrasted thanks to tanned leather, while the insoles arrived embellished with the JJJJound motif, a subtle but classy addition.
New Balance
Jjjjound/New Balance
JJJJound’s link-ups with New Balance are undoubtedly its most renowned. Debuting in 2020 with two takes on the 992 in rich forest green and an earthy brownish-gray, the pair reunited in 2021 for an understated take of the 990v4, which saw the sneaker arrive in an all-over navy and come equipped with flecked toggle laces. Now for its first release of 2022, the pair reunites for an “Olive” 990v3 (seen above), which is set to drop globally later this week, retailing at $250 USD.
