NB 550 x Aime Leon Doré Review

10 min read

Aime Leon Doré x New Balance 550 Purple

New Hype, Same Label

Anybody who is somewhat interested in sneakers knows how popular New Balance (NB) has been over the past few years. Especially due to collaborations with various labels and designers, the brand founded in Boston has seen an increase in demand for a majority of its models. Only five years ago someone wearing New Balances would have been viewed as an outsider in the sneaker community; Jordans and Adidas still run the game, but NB has proved itself to be a strong competitor who takes pride in comfort and craftsmanship. The NB 550 has seen an exorbitant rise in popularity over the past few years.

The New Balance 550s have gained tons of attention since they have been relaunched in 2020. The model initially released out in 1989 when low-top basketball sneakers were not a common sight in the late ’80s. Thanks to Teddy Santis, the founder of the New York based fashion and lifestyle brand Aimé Leon Dore (ALD), the New Balance 550 saw an overdue revival and tons of hype surrounding the silhouette. Santis helped kickstart the 550 craze in September 2020 when he decided to team up with New Balance and bring the model out of the vault. Since then, the NB 550 has proved to be a retro sneaker that has been part of the “dad shoe” trend over the past few years. There are no signs of slowing down for the New Balance 550 anytime soon.

Recent NB x ALD Collabs

The recent pack of the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 550 comes in three colorways- brown, olive, and purple. All three have their own unique colors, but the purple stood out the most to me personally. The recent batch of 550s all sport the same color blocking as the first group that was released in 2020. Teddy Santis knows how to execute a sneaker collab to near perfection. There are not many aspects you can nitpick about his work with New Balance.

Overall, the ALD x NB 550 is a timeless retro sneaker that is extremely versatile and wearable. From basketball shorts to cargos pants to chinos and joggers, the 550 can be worn with a wide variety of clothing. The “aged” midsole is a perfect shade of cream; the aged trend can be a hit or miss, but the look on the NB 550 is a no brainer. The model already flaunts vintage looks, so the cream midsole is a perfect touch to a classic sneaker

New Balance is in a weight class with the big boys now. Obviously Nike and Jordan have been the frontrunner for quite some time with no signs of slowing down. However, New Balance has given Adidas a run for their money. Collaborations as of lately have propelled NB into one of the most popular sneaker brands over the last few years. Made in USA shoes have been a staple of New Balance for quite some time. They typically have better quality control and higher standards than other footwear giants who focus more on mass production which causes a considerable drop-off in quality. Especially in the ALD x New Balance 550, the quality is well worth the retail price.

Proven Quality

NB 550
NB 550

The leather on the ALD 550s feels sturdy and is of solid quality overall. This particular pair has great attention to detail and excellent quality control; the simplicity makes the sneakers a unique and often wearable pair. The purple is a very dark shade which allows for a high wearability. Cream and off-white compliment each other to near perfection. A simple yet distinctive pair like the ALD x NB 550 brings a classic look back with a modern twist.

The shade of purple is dark enough to pair well with a variety of colors, but is not too bright either. ALD’s logo on the insole adds a nice touch to the subtle aspects of this pair. Cream and purple on the soles makes for a unique combo that compliment the midsole and upper hues.

Distinct logos are no stranger to the NB x ALD 550 collab. Aimé Leon Dore’s apple/New York logo stands out and represents quality goods. Anyone who pays attention to the New York based label knows their clothing is constructed with care and high caliber materials. ALD takes pride in being simple yet unique; this particular pair displays the classic logo that is recognizable at first sight.

New Balance x Aimé Leon Dore

Collabs with extra features separate from the sneakers stand out compared to those that don’t. Extra laces come in cream and purple for this particular pair. Both would compliment the shoes well, but the cream or white would look best for a classic look.

Basketball is a common motif in Aimé Leon Dore’s collections, photos, logos, and brand inspiration. New Balance collaborated with Santis of ALD on a hoop-themed collection of apparel, bags, and accessories. The “All-City Sonny League” collection seeks to bring people together; the main expression for the set is “International Friendship Through Basketball.” Teddy Santis found his own lane to bring basketball and retro shoes and apparel together in a seamless fashion. He continues to hone in and focus on basketball in his ties with New Balance.

The box would be the only negative aspect in the ALD NB 550 partnership. Although the Aimé Leon Dore spell out adds a unique touch to the typical New Balance box, the overall quality is subpar to say the least. The box is extremely flimsy and feels cheap. New Balance stayed true to the original 550s with a vintage look and feel.

The New Balance basketball-apple-caterpillar logo gives the tongue a classic and contemporary addition. ALD logos are not lacking on the 550 collab. Teddy Santis’s branding stands out with the basketball-apple printed on one insole and on the back tab as well. He makes sure to stay true to New York, keeping the recognized logo pure and noticeable.

Creative Connection

Teddy Santis is a monumental figure in New Balance’s revival of the 550. The two forces teamed up to bring some hype to relaunch the model before releasing more GR pairs that anyone can get their hands on. The ALD raffle for the recent brown, olive, and purple NB 550s was handled extremely well; the site was simple to enter on and allowed individuals to enter for all three colorways to increase their chances of securing a pair. Anyone who was not selected for the raffle got an opportunity to preorder the colorways they missed out on the first time.

Many people have mixed feelings about preorders. Although the preorders will not ship until Spring 2023, Aimé Leon Dore made sure their supporters would be taken care of. For anyone who wanted a pair of ALD 550s and did not care about resell prices or hyping “dying down,” the raffle and preorder gave both NB and ALD fans a deserving chance to secure a pair for retail price.

New Balance has stepped up to the plate over the recent years. Collabs with Aimé Leon Dore, Joe Fresh Goods, and JJJJound have proved to come with high expectations, quality materials, and exceptional execution.

ALD x NB 550 On Feet

Outlook for Aimé Leon Dore

The future between ALD and New Balance looks promising. Both labels clearly have chemistry together; they will have more models and collections to work on and explore more possibilities for future collaborations. Teddy Santis prides himself on quality rather than quantity. New Balance has been moving in the same direction especially when they manufacture some sneakers in the States. Obviously, they could mass-produce far more pairs overseas with inferior materials. New Balance and ALD are a near perfect fit as they would rather look for higher quality pieces even if profits slightly decrease.

Santis brings an original flare to streetwear and sneakers. He knows how to connect with the youth and continues to put out quality pieces that resonate with many people. Basketball brings people together no matter how they relate to it; Santis has been able to use a few essential themes to lead the way for Aimé Leon Dore. Brands like New Balance are working with young, up and coming, and relatable creatives and artists now more than ever in the history of the Boston-based brand.

Overall, New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore have an established connection with no signs of slowing down. Future apparel collections and more sneakers will continue to showcase the creative focus of each contributor. Both parties will have the room to stay true to their respective brands while experimenting with subtle yet appealing changes. Teddy Santis is not taking his foot off the pedal with his creative control in collaboration with New Balance.

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