New Balance isn't just sensible shoes anymore

New Balance for Nine West is unveiling its seasonal lineup of fashionable sneakers and shoes for women.

Earlier this year, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., the Boston-based company known for athletic footwear, teamed up with shoe retailer Nine West to launch their first joint collection of footwear; the footwear aimed to combine New Balance performance technology with Nine West's sense of fashion and style.

"While the Spring 2009 collection offered bright color combinations, Fall will convey fabrics, prints, and embellishments that reflect key fashion trends of the season including studs and graffiti. New silhouettes are also being introduced with the addition of Velcro-strapped high-tops," New Balance and Nine West said in a press release about the new lineup.

New Balance has long been known for sturdy, no-nonsense sneakers that found favor with middle-age runners. Wild patterns and color schemes were generally not part of the mix. That's not necessarily the case with New Balance for Nine West. In one execution, cheetah-printed suede gets a workout. (The photo at right was provided by New Balance.)

The collection is now available at Nine West stores, ninewest.com, and key New Balance stores, and the shoes will retail from $70 to $100, the press release said. (Globe Staff)