Teddy Santis, the founder of fashion label Aime Leon Dore and current Creative Director of New Balance’s Made in USA line, somehow finds time to manage both of his major roles in the fashion landscape, releasing new collections and colorways for both previously mentioned brands. There even seems to be cross-pollination between his two projects as ALD is still landing collaborations with his now-employer, recently seen on a duo of 650R colorways. Staying in the basketball realm, we’re getting first looks at a three-pack of upcoming ALD x New Balance 550 colorways.
All but one of these recently seen colorways actually feature visible ALD branding on the upper, changing up the usual design formula the two brands have employed thus far. This aforementioned pair comes dressed in an all-over grey premium hairy suede with cream leather landing on the toebox and a tonal grey canvas found along the collar. Co-branding between the brands is located on the insole and tongue tag, the latter of which features a navy apple redesign for the basketball graphic, though the laces and text keep in the realm of grey. Back on the heel, branding between ALD and NB are split between the left and right pair respectively. Underfoot, the entire 550 sole unit gets dressed in a vintage cream shade.
The navy blue pair on the other hand comes in a short-haired suede, sans the toebox, tongue, collar, and collar overlays. White accents appear on the lace and tongue set and aforementioned leather collar overlays, though the branding details on the tongue stick to just NB. On the insole, a graphic of a basketball court comes with a retro NB tagline stating “We’re in it for the long ruN” alongside cobranding between NB and ALD. Back on the heel, two different NB logos are debossed on the suede overlay. Rounding out the look is the cream vintage midsole paired with a grey rubber outsole.
The third and final pair of the bunch emerged prior, coming in a Cream Navy Gold makeup that forgoes the suede construction in favor of leather. Gold accents land on the 550 brandings, both on the eyestays and tongue, while navy blue hits appear on the collar, sockliner, and mudguard’s “NB” logo. Rounding out the look is a vintage midsole paired with a grey rubber outsole.
The Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 550 F/W 2022 Pack is slated to release at the tail end of 2022 through Aime Leon Dore, New Balance, and select retailers online and in-store. As of now, sizing and pricing information is TBA. For more updates on the collaborative efforts between NB and ALD, keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Images via iamricosuav
Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 550 "Grey"
Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 550 "Navy Cream"
Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 550 "Cream Navy Gold"
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
