AURALEE and New Balance continue their collaboration with the reintroduction of the T500 sneaker, first presented during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2025. The partnership builds on a shared respect for form and material, translating a classic 1980s silhouette into a design suited for today.
Originally introduced in 1982, the T500 occupies a distinctive place in New Balance’s history. The model was reissued in Spring 2024 after decades of absence, reintroducing its signature construction with subtle updates. Its polyurethane midsole recalls the brand’s 1980s performance technology, setting it apart from the vulcanized sole used in the original. Designed for both athletic function and visual refinement, the T500 once reflected the prestige of tennis style, an association it continues to carry with this release.
For this latest release, AURALEE focuses on texture, tone, and proportion. The sneaker appears in two colorways: Vintage Brown and Vintage Ivory. The brown edition pairs nubuck and mesh to create contrast through texture, while the ivory version uses perforated leather to achieve a softer surface. Each variation reflects AURALEE’s attention to material quality and its preference for minimal construction. The selection of textures and finishes allows the shoe to express depth without excess, maintaining a steady balance between simplicity and craft.
The natural tones give the sneakers a lived-in quality, as though they have aged gracefully through time and use. Instead of relying on overt branding or color play, the collaboration focuses on proportion and texture. Every detail, from the balanced midsole to the low-profile silhouette, reinforces an appreciation for form and function over excess.
Photographer Christina Nesterova captured the campaign. In charge of styling was Hisato Tasaka, with creative direction and production from Kontakt Studio.
The AURALEE × New Balance T500 releases exclusively at AURALEE on October 24, followed by availability in selected global retailers on October 31.
