Best-know for its trainers, New Balance is increasingly turning its attention to the comfort/leisure footwear sector.

Described as a “new market opportunity for New Balance”, the introduction of the new ‘Made in UK Allerdale’ comes about as the brand “looks beyond only retro running by capitalising on a shift towards a more formal and tailored approach to fashion”, according to New Balance creative design manager Sam Pearce.

The ‘Allerdale’ is the latest addition to its ‘Made in UK’ collection with the all-new model “combining the brand’s “walking shoe heritage and contemporary design for a more formal aesthetic”.

Designed for both “comfort and elegance”, the Allerdale’s craftsmanship and style is paired with the brand’s signature FuelCell cushioning comfort technology.

The model features a cupped sole unit, with heavy-duty stitching and a hiking-inspired tread. Made with premium leather and suede, the shoe is finished with minimalist branding marked by an embroidered flying New Balance logo.

Pearce added: “Building on the legacy of our revolutionary Hiker models, and our lesser-known walking collection of the 1980s – which were also made in England – this design was born and named by its very surroundings. The ‘Allerdale’ is a modern expression of a classic style, built for those who want to walk their own path.”

The Allerdale, in brown leather, will be available globally online from 20 March.

eBay continues to develop its fashion resale category introducing a “groundbreaking” editorial and fashion film project, ‘The Goat Dancer’, culminating in the launch of an inspirational fashion edit.

The digital retail giant is “championing the transformative potential of pre-loved fashion sourced entirely on eBay” by joining forces with fashion photographer Nick Knight, stylist Lara McGrath and creative film/photography venue ShowStudio to develop the project.

With McGrath having established “an inventive and outré approach to styling” and Knight being “captivated by the stylist’s ability to layer and style pre-loved garments into visionary ensembles”, the stylist documents mirror portraits of herself in public changing rooms. 

The ShowStudio collaboration brings that creative spirit to life “offering a treasure trove of fashion finds – all £50 and under – ready to be revived and reimagined”.

From scoring Jil Sander shoes for £30 to finding beauty in a Per Una chiffon top, repurposing a kimono into a fishtail skirt, or transforming a bedspread into a dramatic cape, “the project showcases the endless possibilities of second-hand fashion reimagined”. 

With old-school glamour inspiring the hair look for the shoot created by Eugene Souleiman, and noughties-inspired make-up by Lynski, Knight and McGrath “crafted a surreal visual narrative that highlights the potential of reimagining fashion through sustainability and artistry”.
 
Live-streamed on ShowStudio, the shoot “celebrates individuality, reinvention, and the thrill of uncovering hidden gems in pre-loved fashion on eBay—proving that style, creativity, and sustainability go hand in hand”.

To celebrate the collaboration, eBay has also curated an exclusive ShowStudio x Lara McGrath edit featuring secondhand fashion pieces inspired by the shoot, “inviting designers to reimagine archival and pre-loved styles into fresh, relevant works of art that transcend time”.

Dior announced on Wednesday the opening of a new store in Vienna, Austria.

Located on Tuchlauben Street in the Goldenes Quartier, the city’s luxury fashion epicenter, the boutique spans over 1,000 square meters and houses Dior’s diverse collections, from women’s and men’s ready-to-wear to bags, shoes and accessories, including jewelry, Dior maison lines and perfumes. 

The boutique is enhanced by a signature concept designed by architect Peter Marino, defined by a refined atmosphere illuminated by light tones. Design details combining cabochon stone, wood, Versailles parquet flooring and moldings create an ultra-contemporary aesthetic, while honouring the House’s storied heritage.

Honoring Christian Dior’s passion for art and design, the boutique features a magnetic installation by Claudia Wieser, paintings by Christian Eisenberger, Rudolf Polanszky, John McAllister, Maysha Mohamedi, Ross Bleckner, and Donald Sultan, as well as creations by Étienne Moyat and Franck Évennou. Photographic prints on mirror by Marc Swanson and a striking bronze sculpture by Philippe Pasqua add to the boutique’s artistic allure.

The boutique’s furniture selection also contributes to its distinct identity, featuring pieces from designers such as Claude Lalanne, Studio Glithero, Alasdair Cooke, Ado Chale, Delos & Ubiedo, Gary Noffke, Osvaldo Borsani, Ginger & Jagger, and B G Robinson. 

Completing the space is the display of multiple reinterpretations of the iconic Lady Dior bag. In the boutique’s window, a multitude of variations is presented, sublimated by minerals—a feat of Isaac Monté—creating a chromatic finish. Within the store, visitors can explore a dedicated wall celebrating the ninth edition of the Dior Lady Art project, by several international artists.