AURALEE Gives New Balance R_C2 a Minimalist GORE-TEX Makeover

Japan’s AURALEE has built a cult following around its minimalist, ultra-premium garments, with extensive collections crafted to meet the young label’s high standards. That appreciable approach to design inspired collaborative Chuck Taylors last year, and will inform AURALEE’s upcoming collaboration with New Balance’s Tokyo Design Studio, which includes clothing and a pair of elevated runners.

New Balance’s Tokyo Design Studio has worked with brands like nanamica to tweak its utilitarian runners in the past, and AURALEE’s revisions keep in line with the company’s exceptional past releases. This drop includes a range of bespoke woven layers, including a long- and short-sleeved knit tops, shorts, pants and a vest, all crafted with the “WHOLEGARMENT” weaving style. This technique imbues sturdy yarns with water resistant properties, yielding dry weaves ideal for muggy summer weather.

This mantra of functional comfort also informs the collaborative R_C2 sneaker, a new casual runner model for NB. Boasting an earthy, sepia-hued colorway, the running sneaker’s beige midsole is complemented by similar tones on the ripstop nylon upper, encompassing the cage, laces and sockliner. GORE-TEX lining gives the sneaker a waterproof, yet breathable, edge, while reflective accents make it extra visible even in low light. Of coourse, New Balance’s preferred EVA Encap outsole maximizes all-day comfort.

The collaborative capsule and kicks both arrive on New Balance Japan’s site and at select Japanese AURALEE stockists on March 9.

Recently, New Balance honored the 1500 model’s 30th anniversary with special edition sneakers.

【AURALEE×TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO NEW BALANCE】

ニューバランス六本木19:06店では、AURALEE×TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO NEW BALANCE カプセルコレクションを3/9(土)より発売致します。#TDS #tokyodesignstudionewbalance #東京デザインスタジオニューバランス #auralee #オーラリー #ニューバランス六本木 pic.twitter.com/qMAXvOwLkh

— ニューバランス六本木19:06 (@NB_ROPPONGI) February 28, 2019