Obtaining a one-of-a-kind sneaker collaboration nowadays can be incredibly challenging. Not only has the culture of shoe collecting become more popular, but opportunists have also arrived, aiming to make a fast profit.
Frequently, some of your rivals aren't even human, but rather automated computer programs designed to snatch up the shoes the instant they're available online.
This issue has been around for a while, but it continues to plague the industry. Rapper Action Bronson is now taking measures to make the release of his latest New Balance partnerships as equitable as feasible.
Bronson's latest New Balance partnership, a "Rosewater" version of the 1906R silhouette, debuted on his website on May 31st.
However, the release faced challenges, as all available pairs were snapped up before the announced 11 a.m. EST launch time, leading to a flurry of complaints from disappointed fans on social media.
Rather than dismissing the criticism, Bronson's team seems to have taken the feedback on board, implementing a revised release strategy for their most recent drop.
On the 7th of June, a unique pair of Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R "Scorpius" sneakers was made available on the dedicated website scorpiuslounge.com. The rapper explained on Instagram that these were too limited to be distributed fairly to the general public.
Instead, he invited his loyal fans who had previously bought from his online store to keep an eye on their emails, as they were granted exclusive access to purchase the shoes.
Additionally, to secure a pair, shoppers were required to also buy a $120 crewneck sweatshirt, adding an extra layer of exclusivity to the release.
Pleasing everyone is a challenging feat, particularly when it comes to producing sufficient quantities of sneakers. However, the innovative "Scorpius" release approach was well-received by numerous fans. As a third and final offering, the Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R "Medusa Azul" is poised to continue this trend, indicating that measures have been taken to ensure a seamless and satisfactory experience for consumers.
“The drops aren’t perfect but I am doing by best to make everything betrer [sic]…I can assure you I have made the proper adjustments to ensure the next drop ‘Medusa Azul’ will be smoother.”
- Action Bronson
The much-anticipated Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R "Medusa Azul" is slated to hit the market on June 14th, with a suggested retail price of $185. This collaboration between the renowned rapper and the iconic sneaker brand is sure to generate excitement among fans and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
