END. x New Balance M997 Made in USA 'Persian Rug' - Register Now on END. Launches

Following the North Sea-inspired ‘Grey Gull’ earlier this season, New Balance and END. turn their sights to the renowned M997 silhouette, applying a twist of middle-eastern inspiration. Motivated by the historic, handmade rugs that originated in Persia, this remodelling of the classic M997 style sees the retailer and the stalwarts of athletic footwear cast the Made in USA model in a rich combination of burgundy, navy-blue, red and beige.

Traced back to the 5th Century BC, Persian rugs were originally made by nomadic travellers as a portable way to stave off the cold and damp, before becoming a symbol of distinction for noblemen and the wealthy elite. Constructed with a time-consuming process on a traditional loom, an authentic Persian rug can take from a few months to years to finish, dependent on the complexity and size of the piece.

Taking the ornate nature of the traditional rugs as a central inspiration, the END. x New Balance Persian Rug sneaker offers a nuanced blend of materials and fabrics to pay homage to the distinctive nature of its namesake. Featuring uppers cut from smooth suede, leather and mesh, a Persian rug patterned in-sole completes the sneaker’s distinctive look with a flourish. Embellished with END. branding to the interior and New Balance’s signature ‘N’ appliqué to the side walls, ENCAP technology finishes off this eye-catching pair of sneakers with the perfect level of midsole cushioning.

Housed in a plush Persian rug patterned bespoke box, the latest collaboration between END. and New Balance is sure to add an eye-catching flourish to your footwear rotation.

The END. x New Balance M997 Made in USA ‘Persian Rug’ will be available for registration online via END. Launches on 14th December.