Trends arenât something that Auralee founder Ryota Iwai has ever seemed particularly concerned with. The Tokyo-based labelâs focus has always been on timeless elegance rather than whatâs popping at the moment, on quality materials and craftsmanship rather than rushing a product to shelves to capitalize on something that may end up being fleeting. The sneaker world often operates on the inverse of this. Trends strike fast and most brands in the space rush to keep up. With Auraleeâs ethos so at odds with that of the sneaker world, a collaboration with a brand would have to mean one that shares more common ground with their approach to designâand thereâs no brand better suited for that collaboration than New Balance.
Courtesy of Auralee
Bostonâs best are no strangers to trends, be it setting them or chasing them. When the dad shoe wave got going a few years ago they reaped the benefits in a big way, and theyâve had their share of buzzy collaborators over the years. Still, more often than not New Balance doesnât rush to meet trends. Trends simply find their way to them. Theyâre far more inclined to focus on quality, craftsmanship, and heritage.
Courtesy of Auralee
It makes them the perfect partner for Auralee, who will be launching their latest kicks with New Balance this week. After launching some stellar 990v4s in December, the brands have collaborated again on two killer pairs of the New Balance 475âa pared-down runner thatâs long been a staple of the NB arsenal. One colorway is decked out in an array of lush neutrals, mixing grey mesh on the toe with suedes in varied shades of beige, brown, and clay; the other boasts summery pops of soft lime and forest greens. Both versions sit atop a creamy off-white sole flecked with a block of neutral grayish beige. Theyâre simple, timeless, and elegant. In short, theyâre everything youâd want from Auralee and New Balance alike.
The Auralee x New Balance 475 drops on May 16 via NewBalance.com for $130.