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New Balance 550, the sneaker that has come a long way
Some sneakers are immediately iconic, others not. Sometimes, it’s pairs that have fallen by the wayside in sneaker culture that manufacturers decide to rediscover. The New Balance 550 belongs to this category. The model was designed for playing basketball at the end of the 80s. Twenty years earlier, New Balance produced its first running shoe, the “Trackster”. The American brand is in fact closely linked to running, its favorite sector, but it also makes shoes for boxing, tennis, and, as an American firm proud of its values, baseball. The New Balance 550 therefore attempts a new foray into the racket after its 480 model. When NB launched the “550 Basketball Oxford”, the design respected the NBA uniform code. But the equipment manufacturer does not sponsor league stars unlike its competitors.
Relic that has become Holy Grail for sneaker addicts
The adventure of the New Balance 550 on the courts does not last long. However, it is made from premium leather and faithful to the quality of the products made by New Balance. Jim Davis is a boss who respects the values of his century-old company, he is obsessed with creating the best shoes. It is thanks to this that the brand has become a reference and the fourth manufacturer of sports equipment in the world. At this point, he decides to give up. For this chunky silhouette designed in 1989 by Steven Smith, it is unfortunately a failed foray into the baskets.
A Dore stitched reissue
30 years later, the model was resurrected by Teddy Santis, founder of the American brand Aimé Léon Dore . The Queens-born designer also serves as creative director at New Balance. He rediscovers this sneaker in an old catalog and finds a rare copy from a collector. The shoe is completely reinvented through this collaboration. The aged look pleases. Word of mouth begins and the hype grows on the networks. Take a look at the Aimé Leon Dore Gray Suede and White Leather models available on our online store. Other collabs follow and maintain the buzz. The Comme Des Garçons brand offers an iteration of the 550 in its Fall/Winter 2022 collection. American designer Joe Freshgoods also gives his vision through the Joe Freshgoods Conversations .
New Balance 550, for women, men and children
New Balance then rode the trend and re-released it among distributors 30 years after its creation. The 550 is becoming an it shoe on social networks and in the world of influence. It is found today in a wide variety of styles and a wide range of colors. The chunky silhouette is made more feminine thanks to pastel shades ( 550 Pastel ) to create an elegant look. More classic versions like the 550 Navy Blue remain faithful to the design of the 90s. The style does not wait for the number of years, Graal Spotter therefore offers a wide choice of models for children ( 550 Triple White Child ) in addition to the New Balance 550 for women and men.
The sumptuous 550 Syracuse pays homage to the colors of the American university and its basketball team. New Balance is also back in business on this front. Thanks to athletes like Kawhi Leonard or Jamal Murray, the Boston brand is once again an official partner of the American professional league. NB returns to the NBA.