New Balance is unique among sneaker brands. From its utilitarian Massachusetts roots to its fusion of the finest materials with standout original designs to the fact it still manufactures certain models in the US and UK, no other company does what New Balance can. That’s made New Balance and its sneaker roster style standouts for the ages. Right now, the brand is more influential than ever, coveted for its superior constructions, unique colorways, and unsurpassed comfort.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Instead, take the words—and pictures—of Flo Ngala, Jocko Graves, and Blair Caldwell, three professional photographers with unique viewpoints and booming careers. To show off some of New Balance’s flyest models, including 574s, 550s, and 9060s, we recently tapped Ngala, Graves, and Caldwell to pair these sneakers with their own outfits, shooting self portraits to capture the results. The ensuing photos don’t disappoint. Each one shows off the photographer’s personality, creative vision, and skills behind—and in front—of the camera. In addition to styling their own fits and snapping some next level self-portraits, each photographer was also cool enough to sit down with Complex to chop it up about fashion, photography, and sneakers. Read on, get inspired, then click over to NewBalance.com to cop some 574s (or 550s or 9060s) yourself. Your creative future is waiting.
Flo Ngala
Flo Ngala is a Harlem-based photographer whose work spans the worlds of portraiture, photojournalism, fashion, music, and advertising. She recently took time to talk with us about styling outfits to match her New Balance sneakers, personal style, and what she thinks about when she’s getting dressed to shoot photographs.
The outfits you styled for here are really colorful and have a lot of texture, but they’re also very clean and stylish. How did you come up with the ideas for these?
The outfits were really inspired by the shoe colors and the silhouettes. I try to experiment often, and here I allowed the specific shoe to inspire each piece of clothing I chose.
New Balance 550 // $110
So with that in mind, how do the outfits also reflect your personal style?
These outfits absolutely reflect my personal style. I love pairing chic looks with comfort and the New Balance models here made it really easy to express myself authentically.
Here, you styled your looks with the white and gray 9060s, the red 574s, and the white 550s. What do you like about each shoe and how do they relate to your personal style?
The 574s color and remix on a classic shoe was the most appealing to me. The 9060s really pushed me out of my comfort zone, since I usually lean towards athleisure, but I thought it was really fun to pair these with a dress. The silhouette of the 550s just goes so hard! Overall the color, the style, and function all add to my love for a vintage look and feel.
New Balance 574 // $85
As a photographer, how do you approach your own personal style? Do you change it up based on whether you want to show up boldly or blend into the background to shoot?
Honestly a little bit of both. I think photography is about the duality of foreground and background. So finding that balance of what feels fly while making sure I’m not taking the attention off of the talent is something I’m always navigating.
And do you think your eye for creating photos helps you assemble your outfits? Do you think about the two creative processes in similar ways?
Yes I do! I think it’s using the same parts of your brain: color, composition, and texture.
New Balance 9060 // $150
What do you think it is about New Balance that’s kept it cool for so many different generations?
New Balance puts functionality and comfort above everything else and consumers can trust the consistency of New Balance’s quality time and time again.
Out of the three New Balance you styled and shot, do you have a favorite?
Yes, the 550s were my favorite!
Jocko Graves
Jocko Graves’ mother gave him his first camera—a Kodak Cameo point-and-shoot—when he was only six years old. Since then, he’s refined his craft, becoming an accomplished multidisciplinary artist who’s photographed celebrities and leading fashion labels, with his work landing in some of the biggest magazines in the world. Online, Graves is known for the “Parental Advisory” watermark he slaps on his photographs. In light of the gems he shot for New Balance, Graves took some time out from his schedule to chat with Complex about photography and how to style different New Balance sneakers for looks that work for everything from morning tea to evening entertainment.
The looks you styled here are very clean and simple, but also have subtle aspects to the cuts and combinations that make them really distinctive and personal. How did you come up with the outfits for these photos?
My main objective while styling each shoe was to showcase how New Balance is more than just a sneaker brand. From starting my day reading the newspaper with a cup of tea in the 574s, to being creative and playing around on the piano in the 550s, and finally ending my evening with dinner and drinks in the 9060s, I wanted to highlight the versatility of the different New Balance sneakers and how to style each one from day to night. I was thinking of a typical day in my life and how effortlessly New Balance fits into each aspect.
New Balance 574 Core // $85
And do these fits reflect your personal style overall or were they specifically created to go with these New Balance shoes?
These fits reflect my personal style perfectly. I mostly dress for comfort since I’m constantly on the go when I’m shooting. Each New Balance model made all my fits come together cohesively.
For your photos, you paired your outfits with the gray 550s, the gray and white 574s, and the white and silver 9060s. What do you like about each of these New Balance sneakers? How do they relate to your personal style?
The 574s are a great shoe. The ergonomic design makes them amazing. The 550s are my favorite everyday shoes to get work done in, especially when running around the city, and the 9060s are the perfect shoe to dress up or dress down. They all relate to my personal style by prioritizing comfort without compromising style.
New Balance 550 // $110
As a photographer, how do you look at your own style? Do you change your personal style based on whether you want to show up boldly or sort of blend in to shoot photos?
As a photographer, I have to make sure that I can easily move around so that I’m able to get the perfect shot. I typically try to blend into the background when I shoot so as to not take attention off the subject or event. I do dress according to whichever brand or event I may be shooting.
And do you think your professional eye for shooting photos helps you come up with good fits? Do you think of them in the same way or do photos and outfits come from different creative parts of your brain?
My eye for composing a photo definitely helps when composing an outfit. I’m usually thinking about color composition and dimensions, so I apply that whenever I’m coming up with an outfit. I approach different creative mediums with the same eye whether it be styling my outfits or shooting on film or making beats.
New Balance 9060 // $150
As a sneaker brand, what do you think it is about New Balance that’s allowed it to remain so fire over such a long period of time?
In my opinion, I think New Balance has remained a coveted brand that’s still in style simply because it’s classic. The silhouettes are timeless and remain up to date no matter how ever-changing trends may be.
Out of the three New Balance sneakers you’re wearing here—the 550s, the 574s, and the 9060s—do you have a favorite?
The 9060s are hands down my favorite model. I find them to be the most comfortable while complementing my style the best. Also, the chunky sole is a really fun design choice.
Blair Caldwell
Raised in smalltown Texas but currently working out of Los Angeles, Blair Caldwell is a photographer who’s known for his striking portraits of music world legends. Not surprisingly, Caldwell also has a keen eye for fashion and style, including his own outfits, which made him a perfect choice to shoot self portraits for New Balance. To talk about his creative process and fire fits, Caldwell linked with Complex, sharing his insights on what inspires his work and outfits and his favorite New Balance sneakers.
Your fits in these photographs are subtle, but they also have touches—the silhouettes, the colors, the accessories—that make them very fashion forward. Where did that all come from?
Thank you! I literally saw the shoes and immediately knew what type of vibe I wanted to rock. Each shoe has a distinct look to them and I wanted to match the vibe of the shoe but I didn’t want to overshine the shoe. I think I did a good job by sticking to the color tones I chose.
New Balance 550 // $110
And do these fits reflect your personal style overall or were they specifically created to go with these New Balance sneakers? Maybe a bit of both?
Honestly I kind of switched my style to fit the shoes. I was so inspired by the shoes and I felt like this was a perfect time to switch it up and be creative. My personal style is comfortable and laid back anyway, but I found a new edition to my style after shooting these photos of myself thanks to New Balance and Complex.
Here, you styled your looks with the white and gray 550s, the gray and white 574s, and the blue 9060s. What do you like about each shoe and how do they relate to your personal style?
I love that the shoes are muted and they are classic and have a vintage feel to them. My personal style is just like that—chill. I love muted colors and I’m inspired by the ‘70s ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s. That’s the music I listen to all the time so my style reflects all of those decades at times.
New Balance 9060 // $150
As a photographer, how do you come at your own personal style and outfits? Do you switch it up based on whether you’ll be shooting photos or not?
As a photographer, when I shoot on set I just like to show up in all black and kinda blend into the background and wear something comfortable because I usually get dirty. Sometimes when I’m meeting the client for the first time, I want them to see me at my best, but it’s about the work coming out good that day and not about me. Also, when I’m not on set I like to be me. Lately I’ve been into baggy pants and tees and simple kicks and braids and my little hoop earrings.
And do you think your eye for composing photos helps you compose an outfit? Like here where you’re pairing these New Balance sneakers with clothes? Do you think of photos and fits in similar ways?
Absolutely! That’s a great question. When I’m planning a shoot I’m looking to see the backdrop or scenery tones and the artist skin tone and clothing—all of that should fall perfectly on the eye when someone is looking at a photograph. I do the same when I’m looking to put an outfit together. I’m looking at the tone of the pants, the shirt, and the shoe. Sometimes I’ll have a whole outfit planned to wear but the jeans are not the right wash, so I’ll wait until I find that perfect jean to wear with that outfit. The color tones are supperrrr important. It doesn’t have to match perfectly, but the tones definitely have to look good.
New Balance 574 Core // $85
What do you think it is about New Balance that’s allowed the brand to remain coveted and in-style for so long?
Simple—New Balance makes timeless shoes that you can wear forever. They are for the minimalist people and they are for the flashy people. I can wear New Balances 10 years from now and they’ll still hit like they do today.
Out of the three New Balance sneakers you wore here—the 550s, the 574s, and the 9060s—do you have a favorite?
My favorite would have to be the blue 9060s. The way the 9060 shapes my foot is so fire.
