New Balance China Mask 576 launch party, Shanghai

Sole Obsession, along with our Streething brethren, were invited up to Shanghai for the inaugral revealing of the much anticipated New Balance 576 China Mask shoe. Inline with New Balance's 20th Anniversary celebration of the 576 model, coupled with the world's attention turning to China in view of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this celebration of Chinese culture and sneaker fanaticism has given birth to this special project.

Being an Asia-Pacific exclusive, NB reps, media and key accounts from around the region were flown in to revel in the cosmpolitan city of Shanghai. What transpired was a night filled with cultural performances, unveiling speeches and much alcohol induced antics and debauchary, as NB Asia came together as one!

Peep some snaps of the event and the who's who of Asian sneaker culture.

Media interview with Tetsuya (NB Japan) | Marco Liang | Qing (NB HK)

Entrance to the party at Bling club, Shanghai.

Performances | NB head honchos holding the uber limited China Mask (576 pairs only) | Display

OG 1300 | OG 1400 | OG 1500

OG 1600 | OG 1700 | OG 2000

Atmos Raijin/Fujin/Face-off | Mita CMYK | Atmos Face-off

Above: Anthony (Leftfoot) | Sato (Atmos) | Kunii (Mita) | Kevin (Hypebeast) | Tetsuya (NBJ)

Team Co.JP

Coolest street photographer Mr Julian Loh! (Streething)

Helga (NB Korea)

Grace (NB HK) | Choo Ee (Streething)

Dick (ACU) | Anthony (Leftfoot)