Teddy Santis has been able to juggle his responsibilities as the creative director of New Balance’s Made in USA lineup and managing Aime Leon Dore’s inline and collaborative efforts for the last three years. During this period, ALD and NB linked up multiple times across the Boston-based footwear brand’s lineup, helping reintroduce models like the 1000 and 475 or bringing energy to key Made in USA sneakers. Aime Leon Dore will again help New Balance introduce a new sneaker as images of the RC56 model have appeared online.
ALD teased us with multiple new New Balance silhouettes in the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 campaign film, which included a handful of colorways of the RC56 and an unnamed water shoe. Still, these early images give us a clearer picture of the former of the two models. Pictured in a Volt Green colorway, the silhouette plays off the low-top mesh runner trend pervasive in sneakers over the last two years. Multiple mesh panels, some in a honeycomb structure and others in a tight weave provide breathability to the sneaker. At the same time, we see N-Lock technology integrated into the N logo on the midfoot.
Comparisons can be made to the New Balance 1000, the archival 1999 mesh runner revived in 2024, as the sleek design language harkens back to the Y2K era. The most apparent connection between the two is via the tongue, which features a leather panel running down the spine. However, the actual design inspiration comes from an archival NB trail runner, the RX505, as the paneling and the general shape of the model are close to that of the RC56. Final details include a New Balance RC56 and AIme Leon Dore-branded tongue, ALD logos on the heel tab, a white foam midsole with FuelCell cushioning, and a black outsole.
The Aime Leon Dore x New Balance RC56 Volt Green will release during the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 season but could be released as early as Friday, March 29, as ALD has just announced the next drop will occur on that date. Check below for early images, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via solesbyjc
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
