On Dec. 3, New Balance and Miu Miu will be honored with the Collaboration of the Year Award at the 39th annual FN Achievement Awards. Below is an article from the magazine’s Dec. 1 print issue about the brands’ successful synergy.
When their latest buzzy collection launched in September, New Balance and Miu Miu proved they could dominate the tennis world. And the secret power behind the long-standing collaboration: their storied family histories.
Executives from both labels explained why the partnership, which commenced with conversations in 2021, works so well. Chris Davis, who is the son of New Balance chairman Jim Davis and vice chairman Anne Davis, believes that Miu Miu embodies a rare duality in the industry.
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“They simultaneously stand for the pinnacle of Italian craftsmanship and luxury but also are pretty fearless and bold with their trend forecasting and defining trends of the future,” said the New Balance global brand president and chief marketing officer. “And this duality represented our ambition in a way that could capture the female consumer globally, on-brand and authentically.”
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A parallel can be drawn between the New Balance CMO and another key player in the collaboration, Lorenzo Bertelli, who serves as Prada Group’s chief marketing officer and head of corporate social responsibility. He is also continuing a legacy as the son of Miuccia Prada, Miu Miu’s creative director and the co-creative director of Prada with Raf Simons, and Patrizio Bertelli, Prada Group’s chairman and executive director.
Bertelli reflected on following in his family’s footsteps and his admiration for the family-run operation at New Balance.
“For me, it’s about responsibility and continuity. When you inherit a family business, you’re not just managing a brand — you’re safeguarding a history and a set of values,” Bertelli said. “That’s something I deeply respect about New Balance. They’ve remained independent for over a century, which is rare in this industry. It allows them to think long-term, to prioritize integrity and quality over short-term objectives. That’s a philosophy we share at Prada Group, and it’s one of the reasons why this partnership feels so aligned.”
Brian Lynn, global vice president of lifestyle at New Balance, also sees the shared familial aspect as core to the partnership. “There’s an understanding of being able to do the right thing without the external pressures that might come from being owned by bigger parent companies,” Lynn explained.
Miu Miu initially chose New Balance’s 574 silhouette as its canvas, debuting the first co-branded shoe on the Miu Miu spring 2022 runway. Things heated up further when the sport and luxury brands turned to the 530 style, which Miu Miu wanted to trim down with an ultrathin sole: enter the 530 SL.
The style has been released in multiple colorways since 2023 and transformed into a mule option. And this year it made major waves when it was incorporated into the New Balance x Miu Miu collection with Coco Gauff. Equipped with double laces and presented in luxe colorways like a silver and gold option, the sneaker styles have become coveted, quickly selling out despite hefty price tags. Not to mention, Gauff’s second signature shoe got the co-branded treatment and had a limited release at a select event with the athlete.
“With the rise of tennis in pop culture — with movies like ‘Challengers’ and tennis-core as a whole — that helped make the collaboration make even more sense,” Gauff told FN. “The whole aesthetic of Miu Miu feels like it fits right into tennis.”
What made the 530 SL so coveted, Lynn explained, is “that combination of two brands at the peak of their powers.” The popularity of the 530, especially for the female consumer, alongside the trendy slim sole, allowed the style to skyrocket. Lynn additionally pointed out that crafting the shoes in limited quantities in Italy contributed to their selling out.
Craftsmanship is another realm in which the brands are well-aligned.
“There’s absolutely a shared commitment to craft,” Davis said. “We both own our own factories. There are people who have worked in our respective organizations for generations and truly view the craftsmanship process as a work of art — in a world where fast fashion and lower-priced goods can dominate the marketplace. Our perspective is that the most sustainable product lasts forever and is well curated and crafted.”
The collaborative relationship has evolved over the years. Bertelli noted how the partnership expanded from one reinterpretation into a more in-depth story. “Today, the partnership feels like an ongoing dialogue — both brands bring their heritage and technical expertise, reaching ever-higher levels of complexity with different materials and features, and signature design details,” he said.
The teams plan to bring the collaboration into 2026, and while concepts remain under wraps, Lynn believes it could easily expand beyond shoes.
“People are looking at us to see what’s going to come next,” Lynn said. “And there’s an excitement that comes with that.”
For 39 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2025 event is supported by Caleres, Listrak, Nordstrom, Skechers, Vibram and Wolverine Worldwide.