“Even Hender Scheme knows the 991 is fire!” read one comment on one of Hender Scheme’s latest Instagram posts. The shoe in the post that the commenter was referring to is a pair of sneakers dressed in Hender Scheme’s trademark natural leather, and that is part of the brand’s Manual Industrial Product (MIP) line.

Hender Scheme’s MIP is famous for taking inspiration from classic sneaker silhouettes and handcrafting “reimagined classics” out of premium leather. For MIP’s 28th installation, the Japanese label has looked to one of the most ubiquitous styles from the house of New Balance.

Here, the outline of the New Balance 991 has been painstakingly reconstructed using a mix of leathers. Although swathed in the leathers’ natural tan colors, the 991’s silhouette is instantly recognizable, from its upper to the different layers of overlays, via Hender Scheme’s masterful craftsmanship. Down below, the ABZORB midsole has been replaced with materials like wood and foam for a more consistent look.

On the heel, where the “991” text was at, Hender Scheme has intentionally carved out an oval-shaped hole and left it blank. It is a beautiful homage, from one well-respected label to another.

The Hender Scheme MIP 28 sneaker will be available in Japan on 3 December. A wider international release will happen in late December.

In other sneaker-related news, check out New Balance’s upcoming 2002R “Protection Pack” for 2023.