Civil was created by Guido Silvestri and Rob Asselin in 2006 after years of working in retail. They wanted to build something outside the standard skate, snowboard, and surf shop format, and opened the first Civil location in East Greenwich, Rhode Island a year later. Since then, Civil has grown into three Rhode Island locations: East Greenwich, Providence, and Westerly.
For their New Balance Numeric collaboration, Civil kept the story close to home. The New Balance Numeric x Civil 480 “Quahog” is inspired by the quahog clam, a Rhode Island staple tied to the coast, seafood culture, and the working shoreline around New England. The idea shows up across the shoe through materials, color, and small details instead of just a name on the box.
The shoe uses the New Balance Numeric 480 as the base. Civil’s version comes in Harbor Grey/Silver Lining, with grooved grey suede that references the ridges of a clam shell. Pearlescent trim brings in the inside of the shell, while the translucent outsole adds another coastal detail. White rope-style laces nod to fishing gear, and purple hits show up around the tongue and Civil branding.
Inside the shoe, the insole features a clam character skating in New Balance shoes and a Civil hat. Civil also built the release around a full clamming concept, including a filmed piece shot around the bay and a custom Clammer Magazine project that ties the seafood reference back into skate culture.
The “Quahog” 480 also lands during Civil’s 20th year, which gives the release more weight than a standard colorway. It pulls from Rhode Island, Civil’s shop history, and New Balance Numeric’s skate platform, then puts all of it onto a 480 with shell textures, rope laces, pearlescent details, and shop-specific artwork.
Release Details
New Balance Numeric x Civil 480 “Quahog”
Friday, September 11
In-store: 11AM ET
Online: 2PM ET
MSRP $120
