New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack'
Led by designer Yue Wu, the New Balance 2002R Protection Pack reimagines the performance-informed sneaker as “wearable relics” once trapped in time.
For the 2002R Protection and Core packs, we have decided to focus on local businessmen leading the charge in Cape Town and Johannesburg. First up is Matt Hichens, an entrepreneur, DJ, foodie and artist for the Protection Pack, releasing at Shelflife on the 24th September.
The former Musical Director of Yours Truly, 1/3 of The Other DJs and the co-owner of One Park, Matt Hichens is an extremely important part of the local CPT nightlife scene. Woven into so many industries and never limited, Matt pushes our culture forward with his amazing eye for detail and design, global mindset and passion for South Africa. We caught up with him leading up to the release this week.
Shot by Hana Jayne Sho
Assisted by Jesse Jewelzzz
Shot at One Park in CPT
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Matt Hichens from Cape Town. I am one of the owners and founders of One Park. One Park is home to a listening bar, an eatery, record store & project space. The major guiding principles of One Park is collaboration and community, with deep exploration of sensory experiences. I’m also a partner in The Other Records. A place for colourful music and the obvious choice for less obvious records. I also have a monthly all genre show on The Other Radio called The Chocolate Sinclair Show.
When was the first moment you got into sneakers?
I was about 13 years old, hanging out at Sport and Surf in Access Park Kenilworth with my brother Josh, when I discovered a pair of Daewon Song DVS Pros. The look, finish & feel was just different. Two months later I was back in the store and copped a pair of Gershon Mosley Globes and never looked back.
What’s your favourite side hustle currently?
Interior design - sourcing different furniture, art, lighting & fabrics for One Park.
Tell us something that excites you most?
Food, music, art & people. All the elements for a good time.
Something people don’t know about you?
I’m a huge sports fan and that I was an avid rugby player, back in the day and played the open side flanker.
Give us your best piece of advice.
Show up! Be Kind! Be Yourself! Love Yourself.
RELEASE INFO:
Premium pig suede is “eroded” across a breathable mesh base, with the latter component donning a lighter shade of regal purple/pink or blue/grey. Laces, branding at the top of the tongue, heel underlays and most of the midsole deviate from their surroundings in favour of a slightly-yellowed hue that further injects a vintage aesthetic into the 2002R. NERGY cushioning, however, delivers modern-day comfort.
The New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack' drops this week via online raffle and live store raffles. R2799 each.
The online raffle opens 22 September at 7pm for 1 hour only. Winners contacted Friday 23 September before 3pm. You may enter for both colourways.
Live store raffles in CPT and JHB on Saturday 24 September. Armbands handed out from 9:30am, raffles start at 10am.
Sizes: UK7, UK8, UK9, UK10.
Please see below the Terms & Conditions for the online raffle release.
1. This raffle is free and open to all people residing in South Africa ONLY.
2. By entering your name, shoe size, valid bar-coded ID or Passport and email address, your name will be entered into the draw for the opportunity to buy one pair of the New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack' in your size and selected colourway at the given date and time.
3. To qualify for the opportunity to purchase online, you must have a confirmed online profile/account with Shelflife.co.za. To create your account, please sign up. Please ensure your account is updated with contact details, and shipping information. If you have already created an account with Shelflife.co.za in the past you do not need to create a new one.
4. After completing an online profile, you can enter the raffle via our dedicated link with your details from 7pm on Thursday the 22nd of September until 8pm. If you enter multiple times you will be disqualified.
5. Your entry is valid only if the following requirements are met:
• You have a valid Shelflife account with the email address matching the one used for the raffle entry
• Your valid delivery address is saved to the Shelflife account before entering the raffle.
• You have not entered multiple times with the same name, email address or ID number.
• You are residing in South Africa.
6. The winners will be drawn at random and will be contacted and invoiced between 10am and 3pm on the 23rd of September, via email only (please make sure the email you have created for your online profile matches your online competition form). Online Raffle Winners will have until Saturday the 24th of September to make payment for their online order at the store they selected on the raffle entry form.
7. Successful entrants will be eligible to purchase their size they have selected ONLY in the online raffle form and must settle payment in full prior to receiving their pair.
8. Each successful entrant will have the right to purchase one pair of the New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack' in the size they indicated on their entry. Entrants may not swap sizes nor request another size than the one they indicated in their entry.
9. The New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack' costs R2799 and is payable via online order only. All info is contained in the winning email.
10. Shelflife has the final say in all sales of the New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack'.
No refunds or exchanges will be accepted for this product.
Any customer who does not pay without notice will be removed from future raffles.
Please see below the Terms & Conditions for the live store raffle release.
1. Arrive at Shelflife Cape Town or Johannesburg before 9:30am.
2. Raffle arm bands will be handed out by Shelflife employees for 30 minutes until the live raffle draw begins at 10am. No participants can join after the the raffle begins.
3. You must have a valid ID/passport with a matching credit/debit card in order to purchase.
4. If your number gets called you gain access to the store to purchase one of the release sneakers. Please note sizes are limited and Shelflife cannot guarantee pairs, and or sizes. Only one entrant may enter and cannot be accompanied by anyone. Entrants must be over the age of 12 years old.
5. No swapping of arm bands are permitted, broken arm bands will not be accepted.
6. 1 arm band per person.
7. Shelflife has the final say in all sales of the New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack'.
No refunds or exchanges will be accepted for this product.