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Original Story (04/13/26): Joe Freshgoods and New Balance continue their run with a 12th collaborative project, the JFG x New Balance 1890 pack.
Following up his 2010 “In My Bag” pack, the Chicago designer now turns his attention to the 1890, a retro-inspired silhouette introduced through an Action Bronson collab earlier this year. Leaning into the “90” in the silhouette’s name, Joe pulls from his childhood in the 1990s—a time shaped by rushing home from school to catch music videos on MTV. Visionaries like Hype Williams defined the era with bold color palettes, fisheye lenses, and futuristic CGI, creating visuals that continue to influence culture today.
The first colorway is dubbed “Finger Waves,” a nod to Missy Elliott’s “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” where she raps “My finger waves these days, they fall like Humpty.” Inspired by the Hype Williams-directed video, the pair features orange mesh uppers that nod to Missy’s iconic orange overall and raincoat ensemble. Streaks of yellow and black create a flame-like effect, reminiscent of ’90s Pen & Pixel cover art for album’s like Juvenile’s 400 Degreez and Guerrilla Warfare by the Hot Boys.
The second colorway, “Naughty Things,” references another ’90s song with a Hype Williams-directed music video: “What’s It Gonna Be?!” by Busta Rhymes featuring Janet Jackson (Gonna make, gonna make you think of naughty things). Here, a purple tie-dye mesh upper nods to Janet’s purple latex outfit in the video, continuing the pack’s theme of high-gloss, era-defining visuals.
Both pairs arrive in steel diamond plate-inspired packaging with an oval-shaped cut-out on the lid, a direct reference to the fisheye lens effect synonymous with Hype Williams’ work.
This isn’t the first time that Joe references Hype Williams in his work with New Balance. The “1998” pack from 2023 was an overt homage to the director’s 1998 film Belly starring Nas and DMX. Now, the 1890 pack continues that lineage—bridging music video nostalgia with footwear design. All that’s missing is Missy Elliott and Janet Jackson rocking a pair, just like Nas and Taral Hicks did with the “Keisha Blue” JFG 990v4s.
The Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 1890 is slated to drop in the coming months via joefreshgoods.com, the New Balance website, and select retailers. Grab a first look below and stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for updates.
Update (04/20/26): EQL raffles for the launch of the JFG x New Balance 1890 are now live and close on Thursday, April 23rd. Check out the campaign film below.
Update (04/21/26): Joe Freshgoods has revealed his SS26 “Let’s Get Weird” collection that will be releasing alongside the New Balance footwear. The apparel and any remaining pairs will be available April 25th at 10am Central on joefreshgoods.com.
A global release for the JFG x New Balance 1890 has also been announced for April 30th, with both colorways dropping on the New Balance website and the “Naughty Things” also dropping at select retailers.
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 1890 “Finger Waves”
Color: Citrus/Grenadine/Pirate Black
Style Code: U189065N
Release Date: April 25, 2026 (JFG)
Release Date: April 30, 2026 (New Balance)
Price: $200 USD
Resell: StockX / GOAT / KICKS CREW / eBay
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 1890 “Naughty Things”
Color: Pirate Black/Heron/Persian Purple
Style Code: U18908JY
Release Date: April 25, 2026 (JFG)
Release Date: April 30, 2026 (Global)
Price: $200 USD
Resell: StockX / GOAT / KICKS CREW / eBay
