Aimé Leon Dore Harkens Back to Its First New Balance Collab With Two More 997 Colorways
Aimé Leon Dore is returning to the sneaker that was the subject of its very first New Balance collaboration.
The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 997 Made in USA “Dark Moss” and “Grey” colorways were teased in ALD’s lookbook for fall 2024 and are expected to release in November. Both sneakers have elements in green and burgundy, essentially packed in options for dark or light variants.
The upper for the “Dark Moss” edition is dominated by leather in its namesake color, which matches the outsole beneath a white midsole. A deep burgundy can be made out around the collar, while the tongue pops in yellow. Suede then decorates “Grey” variant, which also features suede accents in olive to match the outsole and a brighter red around the collar.
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Both sneakers were worn by lookbook star Mach Hommy, the mysterious New Jersey rapper without a social media presence and who’s rarely seen without a mask.
The 997 has been kept in New Balance‘s archives since 2019, not counting retooled variants such as the 997H or 997S, until this year, as a few new colorways are expected to release soon. The running shoe made its debut in 1991 and introduced a new moulded technique in which ENCAP and C-Cap cushioning tech are featured in the same midsole. New Balance has produced the 997 in the U.S. since the jump, helping to make it one of the brand’s most beloved silhouettes.
Aimé Leon Dore released two coordinating colorways for the 997 Made in USA in 2019 for its debut New Balance collaboration. Each has sold for more than $1,000 on the resale market, including up to $3,000 for the pink-tongued variant, making them the most valuable of ALD’s NB sneakers.
New Balance has since made Aimé Leon Dore its most frequent collaborator, and ALD founder Teddy Santis is now the creative director of the company’s Made in USA line, which makes the forthcoming capsule a sort-off Santis x Santis collab.
The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 997 Made in USA in “Dark Moss” and “Grey” will release in November. Pricing has not yet been confirmed, and this post will be updated as more information becomes available.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
