New Balance’s long-term partnership with Aimé Leon Dore has breathed new life into the sneaker brand. Since the two were first linked in 2019, they’ve created a line of sneakers coveted by hypebeasts and indie fashion enthusiasts — so much so that one of their drops led the NYPD to shut down a line in store to control agitation.
There’s no other way to describe Aimé Leon Dore’s New Balance shoes than instant classics. Whether the streetwear label puts their spin on the 997 or 550, they do so in a way that pays homage to New Balance’s heritage, while elevating the shoes with vibrant colors and details. So now that ALD has teased two never-before-seen New Balance 991 sneakers — previewing the shoes in its new lookbook for its Spring/Summer ’22 collection — it’s no surprise that sneakerheads are amped up.
Retro racers — As of now, Aimé Leon Dore hasn’t confirmed his latest New Balance collab, though the 991 styles are undoubtedly a project in between. Other sneakers teased in the look, including three upcoming 650s and an unreleased 990v2 color scheme from an upcoming Made in USA collection, directly reference what’s to come from the duo. There would be no reason for ALD to include both 991 variations in the lookbook unless they end up dropping as well.
One pair is kept simple with a white leather base, accented by gray branding. A cream color dresses the laces and the sole to give the sneaker a vintage feel. The other 991, modeled by Andreas Makaris – a legendary fifth-generation potter from Athens, Greece – details its tan leather upper with cream mesh underlays and hits of green on retro New Balance branding” NOT”. Each sneaker is as refined as the next.
We want Aimé Leon More — With no confirmation of the collaboration, it’s unclear when the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 991 might be released. Both brands already have a slew of sneakers lined up for the next few months, which means the 991 could arrive towards the end of the year. Either way, fans of vintage-inspired footwear will love the pairs in the months leading up to their release – you’ll want to keep an eye on the websites of Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance to keep up.
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