French luxury conglomerate LVMH has just acquired a minority stake in the New York-based brand Aimé Leon Dore, through its investment arm, LVMH Luxury Ventures. With the backing of the global fashion group, the collegiate-inspired streetwear label will continue to expand under the groups’ guidance. The brand, founded in 2014 by Teddy Santis, has gained a large cult following, establishing a sector all its own within the streetwear space, collaborating with heritage brands—from New Balance to Clarks—and honing their signature new-nostalgic aesthetic. Existing under the LVMH umbrella will open up many markets for Aimé Leon, and expand their outreach—basically if you’re not familiar with the brand, be prepared to see a lot more of them going forward.
So, let’s get to know the brand more shall we?
Born in nyc:
Founded in 2014 in NYC, Aimé is a love letter to New York. The label draws heavy influence from its founder’s upbringing in Queens, NY. Inspired by the streets, people and communities, of NYC, Aimé picks up on all of that. From basketball references–inspired by Santis’s upbringing playing basketball—to observing the business casual dress of people in the streets. And what about the name? After being denied a trademark for just Aimé (the French word for love), Santis added Leon, his father’s nickname, and then Dore, (the final syllable of his full name Theodore), hence Aimé Leon Dore!
Signature Prep athleisure aesthetic:
Aimé has carved out a distinct aesthetic, building on their own house codes with every drop, collaboration, and collection. It’s a bit preppy (with its collegiate, traditional staples), one part normcore (sweats, New Balances, the 90s inspired denim and silhouettes), throw in some workwear inspirations, and some Saville Row undertones—and that’s the signature Aimé aesthetic.
collaborations:
Aimé is a brand that stays true to its design ethos. Their signature preppy normcore meets athleisure aesthetic stays a consistent through-line throughout everything they do—from campaigns and branding to collaborations. Over the span of the past seven years, they’ve collaborated with brands that naturally fit into the Aimé Leon universe. Take their longstanding collaboration with normcore stable shoe brand, New Balance for example. The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance sneakers have become quite the coveted release, making for a collaboration that just effortlessly gels. The brand has collaborated with Clarks, British label Drake’s, and American heritage outdoor wear brand Woolrich.
