Depending on who you ask or where you look, Aimé Leon Dore "is back!"
Such a statement must be contextualized, especially when all the economic success and diffusion of Teddy Santis and company's work suggest the label has been more cemented in its place than ever before.
Some netizens—in particular those who've been following Aimé Leon Dore for more than five years—had taken to social media to express a lack of enthusiasm about some of Santis and team's capsules over the last few seasons. Adding the fact that Ralph Lauren took to Milan earlier this year for his first fashion showcase in a while, it's no wonder many consumers were writing off ALD as uninspired, formulaic, and no longer exciting.
The imprint's footwear, apparel, and accessories collaborations with New Balance had been getting similar criticism, though with some reservations; Santis' separate work as Creative Director for the company's Made in USA program has been suffering (and somewhat continues to) a similar fate.
There's no denying that today's consumer is fickle. And while you won't find any assessment about the Teddy Santis universe's output over the last few years here, it's important to note that public reception of Aimé Leon Dore's Spring/Summer 2026 Collection has been overwhelmingly positive.
Over 40 different looks were put together by Santis and co. for the collection's lookbook. Standout pieces are subjective, but two things that set the SS26 range apart from previous offerings are collaborative items with Technics and Alekos Fassianos, a renowned Greek painter who passed away in 2022. These projects expand ALD's reach and relevance while allowing Santis to tap into his Greek heritage in a way that feels both personal and educational.
Other notable elements from the seasonal lineup include: Madras fabric, textured tailoring, robust knitwear, and the use of season-appropriate hues that feel fresh. Furthermore, styling across the entire lookbook has been lauded by many netizens, with particular praise being paid to layering.
On the footwear front, the New Balance RC56 is reimagined in "Team Orange" and "Pristine/Grey" color schemes.
Enjoy images from the SS26 lookbook ahead. Shop items via the Aimé Leon Dore webstore right now; product should make its way to after-market platforms StockX and KICKS CREW if you miss out on the initial drop.
