New Balance To Launch Chinese Opera-Themed Footwear Line

New Balance To Unveil China Mask 576 Collection During Beijing Olympics

New Balance, playing off the Beijing Olympics, this month will unveil the China Mask 576 Collection, a footwear line "inspired by the traditional masks of Sichuan opera," according to Donna Goodison of the BOSTON HERALD. The line is designed by China-native Marco Liang, who last year won a New Balance design collection. Each of the four shoes in the line, three of which will be available in the U.S., reflects the "mood of a specific operatic role." The fourth Wu Shuang, or "one of a kind," sneaker will be available in a "limited edition of 576 pairs in China only." All four shoes are "more modern and brightly colored, fashion-oriented versions of New Balance's 576 running shoe," and materials include "suede, mesh and patent leather, with embossed graphics and embroidery." Meanwhile, New Balance "expects to have more than 400 stores open in China by year's end." And while the company is "not an official Olympic marketer," New Balance is sponsoring 37 athletes for the Beijing Games. New Balance also "will be hosting a Gold Team Hospitality Club during the Summer Games at the Xingfucun Art Gallery in Beijing" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/5).

CELEBRATING STADIUMS: SPORTINGNEWS.com's Rich Lopez reported Reebok, to "commemorate the closing of Yankee and Shea Stadiums," has designed two Reebok Dual Pump Runners "dedicated to each of the stadiums." Each shoe is "designed in the respective colors" of the Yankees and Mets. One hundred forty pairs of each sneaker were created, and they are "both available now at select Reebok accounts" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 7/30).