Teddy Santis' First New Balance MADE In USA Collection Receives a Release Date

It's been just over a year since Aimé Leon Dore founder Teddy Santis was named the creative director of New Balance's premium MADE in USA line, and now the first batch of Santis-curated MADE products are set to begin rolling out. The collection includes footwear – which was teased by Santis himself earlier in the month – and apparel, all of which draws from Santis' famed attention to detail and appreciation for historical reference points. It's also split into three distinct categories: 'elevated legacy,' which celebrates New Balance's most famous colours in premium fashion, 'uniform staple,' which aims to offer staple wardrobe items and 'quickstrike,' unique colours and alternate materials on some of New Balance's most famed lifestyle silhouettes.

2022 marks the 40th anniversary of New Balance's 990 line, so Santis' first batch of MADE footwear consists entirely of special takes on the 990, 990v2 and 990v3. Depending on which of the three categories each model falls into, it could feature anything from blaze orange mesh to shaggy grey suede and slightly aged tan accents like the three models pictured below. Each footwear option features callouts to its made in the USA construction and subtly branded details, letting the craftsmanship speak instead of overwhelming it with logos.

Besides the kicks, Santis has also created a wide array of contemporary takes on classic American sportswear pieces, including sweatshirts, sweatpants, long and short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts. 'As a brand, New Balance has always been drawn to nontraditional and independent creators, which is what makes Teddy such a perfect fit for MADE in the USA,' said Chris Davis, New Balance's chief marketing officer and senior Vice president of merchandising. 'Not only does he have an incredibly authentic and passionate tie to New Balance, but he’s uniquely positioned to help preserve the history of MADE, which is the foundation of the brand, while simultaneously guiding its evolution through his unique design sensibility.'

If this seems like a lofty task for one individual, take a look at Santis' track record. He's been collaborating with New Balance since 2019, starting with a cult classic 997 before serving as the catalyst for the return of the obscure 550, now one of New Balance's most popular lifestyle silhouettes. ALD have also released well-received iterations of the 827, 990v2, 990v5, 1300 and 993, and are bringing back the 650 (the 550's high-top cousin) this month as well, all while recently securing an investment from LVMH. The two brand's recent surges in popularity run near-parallel to one another, so the marriage of minds and aesthetics brings them even closer.

Look for the first batch of products from Teddy Santis' MADE in USA collection to start hitting the New Balance webstore on April 28. Footwear starts at $200 and apparel begins at $65.