Teddy Santis is the founder and creative director of nostalgia-drenched menswear line Aimé Leon Dore (ALD), which has inked partnerships with Clarks, Suicoke and New Balance and snagged an investment from LVMH Ventures in January 2022. The brand’s 1990s New York aesthetic has taken over streetwear conversation, and its Nolita flagship has become a grazing ground for streetwear devotees. It just opened its first international outpost in London — and has big growth ambitions.
Santis grew up in New York City and founded Aimé Leon Dore in 2014. After a few years of steady growth, and product iteration, in 2017 the brand started to hit its stride and Santis was approached by New Balance in hopes of a long-term partnership. His first New Balance collaboration in 2019 was an inflection point for both brands. New Balance started infusing newness through collaborations with partners including Miu Miu and JJJound, and ALD was pushed into the spotlight right as it was opening its first store. New Balance made him creative director of its ‘Made in USA’ line in February 2022.
