SBTG x NEW BALANCE 991GMC

SBTG, Stash, Futura, and Eric Haze are just some artists/influencers whom have shared their creativity on footwear within my lifetime. As I surrounded myself with the swoosh in my younger years, I strived to own their work, but never did I think I'd have my own personalized pair. 

Mark 'Sabotage aka SBTG' Ong and I have been in on-n-off communications for what seems like a decade or so (or maybe just as long as I've been collecting NB), back when I first saw him selling his 'Heaven' NB 574 on the old Royale Fam website. I've contacted him before in regards to a custom, but never had the means nor could find the shoe worthy of such art. As soon as the 991GMC released in late 2017, it struck me. "This is it!" is what I told myself. 

With 85% of my collection revolving around 99X models; it was no question that this 991 would make a good fit amongst the rest.

Never ever did I think I'd find a pair worth 'doubling' up on, until the 991GMC. I think even if I didn't pursue this project with SBTG that I'd still end up doubling up on these luscious leather kicks. They were so good in fact that my girlfriend's brother desired a pair, which I eventually hunted down for him. 

After 41 emails between Mark and I, and selling 5 pairs to one of my friends; I was able to come up with the funds to proceed with this project. I went down to the local USPS dispatcher and shipped these beauties off to Singapore, knowing that they'd comeback a completely different shoe and the ultimate surprise. I had no specifics that I wanted done to these except to have SBTG do anything/everything he wanted. 

Feb. 21. I get the notification from Mark saying that the shoes made it safely to Singapore and I'd receive mock-up photos soon. I assumed "soon" meant 3-4 days, but no. Just under 2 hours later I received these mock-ups and was asked, "which do you prefer?" Mark and I mutually agreed on the leopard print for this stage in the process. Within this same email he went onto say, "Wow! I like where this is going man."

March 23 / 7:37am. I wake up to some teaser footage by Mark on his Instagram story @mr_sabotage . Now I start getting the butterflies knowing that the time will be near when he sends the finished photos. 

March 26 / 9:09am. Our 80th email between Mark and I comes through; containing the finished product of his creativity. Ladies and gentlemen, Here is the R. Ljuba x SBTG 991 project.

Here are some more shots taken at Mark's studio with different lighting so you can really see the contrasting colors working together.

Mark surprised me with the use of wax laces and his signature lace-lock. The lace-lock was a very nice touch that brought me back to the release of the SBTG x SB Dunk low. I remember purchasing his gold locks for my pair.  

Now the waiting game for them to arrive...

March 29 / 5:05pm. THEY ARE HERE!!!!

The custom box tag was a very nice touch and was completely unexpected.

I want to take this moment to thank Mark 'SBTG' Ong again for fulfilling this vision I've had since my SB days. It has always been entertaining following your work, and now I can honestly say I have a work of art! Thank you. They're simply stunning and will forever be in my collection.