Aminé has teamed up with New Balance to release the Biblioteca 2000s, a sneaker collaboration that goes far beyond a typical drop. The project introduces two different versions of the shoe and ties the launch directly to the artist’s hometown festival, The Best Day Ever Fest, in Portland.
SNEAKERS
The centerpiece of the capsule was the multi-color Biblioteca 2000s, a sneaker that mixed a range of vibrant hues with glow-in-the-dark elements. New Balance produced only 100 pairs of this version, making it one of the rarest drops on the brand’s calendar. The glow-in-the-dark finish added an extra layer of creativity, designed to stand out during festival nights and reinforce the energy of the event. Each pair also nodded to Aminé’s creative collective, “Club Banana,” through embossed tongue branding that connected the collaboration to his personal identity and artistic circle.
Fans attending the festival experienced a two-step release process. The first step involved a guaranteed purchase. At a designated book drop station next to will call, attendees pre-ordered the Green Biblioteca 2000s, a separate version of the shoe that secured a pair for every buyer. This ensured that participants walked away with footwear tied to the collaboration, even if they did not secure the rarer model.
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The second step introduced an element of chance. Anyone who pre-ordered the Green Biblioteca 2000s automatically entered a raffle for the multi-color pair. Winners claimed one of the 100 pairs for free, making the raffle the only path toward securing the most exclusive sneaker of the collection.
The design of the Biblioteca 2000s underscored the collaboration’s playful direction. The multi-color version used an unpredictable palette across the upper, while the glow-in-the-dark finish pushed the shoe toward a festival-ready aesthetic. The Green Biblioteca 2000s, while more subdued, still tied directly to the concept and played a key role in how fans accessed the rarest model. Both pairs reinforced the close link between Aminé’s creative projects and his partnership with New Balance.
By anchoring the release to The Best Day Ever Fest, Aminé ensured the sneakers arrived in a setting that reflected his roots and community. The raffle-driven approach and limited production numbers elevated the drop into an event that went beyond footwear.
