Big Money Moves: Deon Point Unpacks the Concepts x NB1000 ‘Míle’
Deon Point and the crew at have a knack for transforming sneakers into living, breathing artefacts. For their latest collaboration, the inspiration comes straight from one of the rarest US banknotes in existence: the 1890 $1,000 ‘Grand Watermelon’ note. With Boston’s deep Irish heritage and a timely St. Patrick’s Day release, the ‘Míle’ tells a story far richer than its currency origins, weaving together identity, craftsmanship and historical intrigue. We hooked up with Deon to break down the design process, hidden details, and the lasting legacy of the legendary Concepts ‘C-Note’.
Your latest New Balance 1000 ‘Míle’ follows your legendary ‘C-Note’ collaboration. What inspired you to revisit currency as a theme, and why did you choose the rare $1,000 ‘Grand Watermelon’ note specifically?
Currency has always been a symbol of power, history and cultural significance, and with the New Balance 1000 ‘Míle,’ we wanted to continue that narrative in a way that felt both rare and deeply rooted in storytelling. The ‘C-Note’ project was about celebrating the artistry of US banknotes, and for this latest release, we set our sights on something even more elusive – the $1,000 ‘Grand Watermelon’ note. It’s the most expensive US banknote ever sold, a true collector’s piece, and that level of exclusivity aligned perfectly with what we wanted to create.
Can you walk us through the design process? How did you translate the intricate aesthetics of the $1,000 ‘Grand Watermelon’ note into the construction and details?
In going through sampling for this one, we wanted to keep the overall spirit of the $1000 note in tact. I would love to embellish the design process, although the majority of details made sense seamlessly when translated from dollar bill to shoe. Everything from the numeral font to the Old English type carried over well. The leather was designed to break in over time as a way to showcase the durability and character of money as it becomes worn down. The tongue hits resemble a watermelon as well, so we feel the storytelling remained intact without compromising the aesthetic. The box tells a much deeper story – it’s believed that some $1,000 notes were damaged due to (which, coincidentally, throws a massive St. Patrick’s Day party as well).
Boston has deep Irish roots – how important was it to weave that connection into the storytelling behind ‘Míle’?
That connection was essential. Boston’s deep Irish heritage plays a huge role in shaping the city’s identity, and with the ‘Míle’ project dropping around St. Patrick’s Day, we wanted to honour that cultural legacy in a meaningful way. The name itself – ‘Míle’, inspired by the Irish phrase 'céad míle fáilte' (a hundred thousand welcomes) – reflects that spirit of warmth and tradition. This was more of a shift when the project got pushed closer to holiday. The colours worked in favour of that as opposed to the quintessential shamrock and leprechauns of days past.
What was it like shooting with Travy in Dublin? Any behind-the-scenes moments that stand out?
I’ve known Travy for quite some time, so he was the first person that came to mind when the timing of St. Patrick’s Day lined up. Outside of his Gliders imprint, he represents a more unique aspect of what I imagined Ireland to be. The standout moment for me was the weeks leading up to filming when we were just trying to understand each other. Accents clashing is an understatement.
This is your first time working with the New Balance 1000 silhouette. What drew you to it, and did anything surprise you about the model during the design process?
We’re fans of anything new that requires a bit more creativity to bring to market. For us, it’s about curating the packaging, programming, and ultimately everything that surrounds the shoe itself so that we leave as little to chance as possible. We’ve worked with various creatives at NB, but they are unwavering when it comes to details – something we ourselves are infatuated with.
Looking back at the original ‘C-Note’ project, what stands out the most from that collaboration? How does it compare to ‘Míle’?
While similarities exist, there’s no arguing how coveted the 'C-Note' is among loyalists. Oddly enough, the part of the campaign I loved the most was that the actual new $100 bill was issued the same month as our drop. ‘Míle’ is completely unique in that it’s actually more reserved in some ways even though the palette is colour-dominant. While we try to avoid being redundant, we tend to do well with currency-themed projects.
And finally – how are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year?
I’ll be boarding up my house and locking the doors.
The Concepts x New Balance 1000 'Mile' arrives on March 14 at Concepts and select retailers.