As New Balance continues to expand the 550 family, they’ve moved away from its standard leather construction to experiment with alternate materials. The throwback, low-cut, ultra-popular basketball-turned-lifestyle model has experimented with CORDURA via a size? collaboration, been coated with canvas as a part of the “Conversations Amongst Us” pack, been bolstered by nubuck via a UNITED ARROWS-exclusive release and even hit with real meteor fragments (though that was a custom). Now, it’s continuing its growth by taking on a dusty pink suede upper.

A women’s-sized release, this 550 gives off almost as many skate shoe vibes as it does hoop shoe vibes due to its new material composition. The pink used is an autumnal hue, dusty and earthy instead of bubblegum-esque, and it’s accented by hits of white and sail. Finishing off the look are familiar branded hits and a 550 graphic on the lateral forefoot overlay, a signature detail from the 1989 sneaker that designer Steven Smith — then a fresh-faced graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, now the head of Ye’s new Donda Industrial Design imprint — took inspiration from automotive design language for.

Look for this women’s New Balance 550 to touch down in the coming weeks. Assuming its price isn’t raised due to its alternate materials, it should retail for $110 USD.

For more on that new New (Balance), check out the AURALEE x New Balance 2002R.
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