Sashiko Gals Brings Traditional Japanese Embroidery to the New Balance 993 at 1 Hotel Tokyo

Sashiko Gals, the Tokyo based collective of embroidery artists, unveiled a new custom New Balance 993 project in April 2026, created as a special installation for the newly opened 1 Hotel Tokyo, where the hand embroidered pairs are now on display and available in extremely limited numbers by custom order. The project does not represent a traditional retail release; a run of just 10 pairs was made available exclusively through 1 Hotel Tokyo via custom order.

Sashiko Gals

Sashiko Gals is a Tokyo based artists’ collective that applies traditional Japanese sashiko embroidery technique to sneakers, transforming production footwear into handcrafted objects through intricate hand stitched geometric and botanical patterns. Sashiko is a centuries old Japanese craft, originally used for fabric reinforcement and warmth, characterized by repeating running stitches across indigo dyed cloth. Sashiko Gals applies it to contemporary sneaker uppers with extraordinary precision, each pair requiring substantial hours of skilled needlework. The collective has become one of the most widely referenced sneaker customization practices globally, with prior projects spanning the New Balance 1300JP, 550, and 580.

View this post on Instagram

The 993 and the 1 Hotel Project

The New Balance 993 is a Made in USA running shoe originally released in 2007 and revived as a heritage performance silhouette, built around an ABZORB and ACTEVA midsole compound with a structured suede and mesh upper. For this project, Sashiko Gals applied their signature hand stitching across the upper, working within the 993’s existing panel structure to integrate embroidery patterns that complement the shoe’s original material construction. The installation at 1 Hotel Tokyo places the completed pairs within the hotel’s design led public spaces, presenting them as objects of craft alongside the brand’s aesthetic of natural materials and considered detail.