The AURALEE x New Balance 550 Arrives With a Vintage Makeover

Our sneaker collection would seem pretty bland compared to what it is now if trends didn't exist. Whether you like it or not, the new fad is all about vintage-inspired colorways. Distressed detailing, yellowing midsoles that look like they've been left in the box and untouched for decades, sneakerheads are progressively starting to take quite a liking to this outlandish style. With that said, Boston-based sportswear company New Balance reached out to highly-respected Japanese fashion designer Ryota Iwai to bring forth the retro-inspired AURALEE x New Balance 550.

For a footwear brand like New Balance who is renowned for recreating timeless classics from their archive and AURALEE widely-loved for the minimalistic aesthetic they offer, it was only natural to see the duo join forces again. Following the same approach as the AURALEE x New Balance COMP100 they launched in early 2020, New Balance's fan-favourite 550 basketball silhouette forgoes the classic bold colour-blocking and puts forward a fashion-forward makeover instead that fits well into the Japanese label's anticipated Fall/Winter 2021 collection, and all that can be said is that the pair is set to be an absolute banger.

The co-branded NB550s surfaces with a premium leather grain construction from heel to toe, peppered with perforations forefoot allowing more air to circulate the user's feet, overall providing a super lightweight feel and high-end sneaker look simultaneously. While the uppers are predominantly hued in off-white, the colour scheme is elevated with a vintage yellow midsole and a tonal beige-shaded outsole lined underfoot. Rounding off the ensemble are profile "N" logos across the lateral and medial sides, and further co-branding details landing on the tongue, insoles, and heel panels respectively.

At this moment in time, pretty much nothing else is known about the collaboration, but we have no doubts that the AURALEE x New Balance 550 will land at select retailers globally around the summer season so keep it locked in right here at The Sole Supplier to stay in the know of all New Balance trainer release dates.