Leave it to AURALEE to turn New Balance's RC30 sneaker into a bonafide work of art. It's just another perfect shoe in a long streak of excellent collaborations issued by the burgeoning Japanese label and sportswear giant over the past few years.
So, yeah, this is nothing new. AURALEE has released a slew of stunning sneakers with New Balance, always focusing on classic (or classic-inspired) kicks like the 2002r, XC-72, and forthcoming 1906.
Heck, people often forget that AURALEE's first New Balance shoe was the extremely retro Comp 100, a super low-key silhouette that debuted in the '70s.
Of course, AURALEE dabbles in tech every now and again, like when it introduced its spin on the New Balance FuelCell and RC_2, but founder Ryota Iwai appears to prefer the classics.
Hence why AURALEE's previous New Balance clothing collaboration focused entirely on archival wearables.
The RC30, revealed during AURALEE's Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show, slots in neatly next to everything else that AURALEE and New Balance have cooked up, again focusing on texture and flawless colorways over flash and circumstance.
Again, we're talking earthy tonal colorways of green and beige, replete with hairy suede and a matching ripple outsole. Classic stuff for a shoe that isn't actually a classic, yet — the RC30 is a relatively new shoe that incorporates cues from the past. But, of course, AURALEE makes the RC30 look like a vintage treasure rescued from the New Balance archive, thanks to its masterfully timeless touch.
No one else is consistently doing sneaker collaborations this good! Sorry, but just saying it how it is.
AURALEE's New Balance RC30 sneaker launches April 14 on SSENSE, END, MR PORTER, The Next Door, and I.T. Hong Kong's websites, plus Japanese stores like KITH Tokyo and T-HOUSE New Balance. A few Japanese web stores, including AURALEE's own and Dover Street Market Ginza, will also receive the shoes.
And, if you like what you see, consider looking at AURALEE's new sneakers as a gateway drug, an intro to its wonderfully stylish world of exquisite clothing, bespoke textiles, and effortless ease. That's why they exist, after all.
