Auralee and New Balance are taking their collaboration to the next level with their latest drop: the Auralee x New Balance WRPD Runner. First seen in the Tokyo-based brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 presentation, the official style name of the chunky runners remained a mystery – until now.
The WRPD Runner caught the attention of fans back in August 2023 when GR editions hit the shelves. It presented a more futuristic design direction from New Balance, somewhat of a departure from its typically archive-driven aesthetic. The suede and mesh upper combined with an oversized rubber sole to create fluid lines, evoking a sense of movement. It’s been lauded as almost sculptural in its design language and long-time fans of this brand pairing continue to celebrate the results.
The WRPD Runner is quintessentially Auralee, which means strikingly pared-back and considered. It’s all in the construction; from the texture-laden upper that combines plush suede and mesh to the exaggerated warped outsole that gives the shoe its name. A heavy tread completes the design.
The silhouette of the WRPD Runner draws inspiration from the hallmarks of New Balance shoes, namely, in its chunky silhouette and panelled upper. The choice of materials for the upper nods to its predecessors, while the futuristic silhouette hints at what’s to come for the Boston brand. It effortlessly combines these archival inspirations with contemporary innovation including New Balance’s signature FuelCell material in the sole, promising durability.
Model: Auralee x New Balance WRPD ‘Dark Navy’
Price: USD$159.99 (Approx. S$218)
Release date: April 18
Buy here: newbalance.com / auralee.jp
Model: Auralee x New Balance WRPD ‘Light Green Beige’
Price: USD$159.99 (Approx. S$218)
Release date: April 18
Buy here: newbalance.com / auralee.jp
This isn’t the first time the two brands have collaborated. Their partnership is nothing short of prolific, and previous drops have garnered keen recognition. Legacy New Balance styles that have been given the Auralee treatment include a slick remix on the 550 for FW21, a bright-blue 1906R for FW23 and two neutral-hued versions of the XC-72 – to name a few.
What all of these previous Auralee x New Balance drops have in common is soothing colorways. The April 2023 collaboration, focusing on the New Balance RC30, looked to nature for inspiration with a forest-like “Hunter Green” and the earth-toned “Tan”. The Auralee take on the 2002r back in 2021 took similarly calming tones with tonal grays, tan and off-white colorways.
This palette feeds into the collaboration’s overall minimalist design direction: styles are typically sparse in detail, color and branding, setting them up as an understated alternative to more logo-heavy designs.
With an ever-increasing number of successful collaborations under their belt, there’s no sign of Auralee and New Balance parting ways any time soon.