After teasing the understated collaboration all the way back in March, Japanese label AURALEE has now officially revealed its upcoming take on New Balance’s 550 silhouette. The collaborative release sees the basketball-inspired silhouette stripped back, fitting in with AURALEE’s understated and premium aesthetic and allowing the personality of the wearer to shine through.The sneaker’s upper is entirely dressed in “Ecru,” including the usually colorful details such as the “N” logo and heel tab. The muted colorway continues over the grain leather uppers, while some sections are dressed in a subtle beige color. The sneaker’s sole unit is finished in a vintage-inspired off-white tone, which gives the sneaker a retro and pre-worn aesthetic. The pared back tones that run across the sneaker act as a continuation from AURALEE’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection.As well as removing colors from the upper, AURALEE has also stripped the classic basketball tongue branding. Instead, the sneaker’s minimal aesthetic continues with a plain panel of leather sitting there in place of the normal logo.Take a look through the AURALEE x New Balance 550 in the gallery above. The collaboration is due to release at select stores in Japan on July 16, with a global release to follow on July 26.For more New Balance 550 releases, take a look at size?’s “Burnt Ochre” colorway.Click here to view full gallery at HYPEBEAST
