Founded in 2014 by Teddy Santis, Aimé Leon Dore aims for powerful design that is unique to them. Their first store was opened in 2016 in New York’s Nolita neighbourhood, and was known for its changing of interior with every new collection. Relocation to Mulberry Street in 2019 provided even more brand-expression, featuring its own Mediterranean coffee shop, Café Leon, inspired by Santis’ Greek heritage, as well as an art installation by Tyrell Winston, a New York artist. Producing menswear to begin with, and introducing a womenswear collection in 2016, the brand now offers ready-to-wear clothes for men and women, as well as shoes, hats and accessories.
Aimé Leon Dore is heavily influenced by its founder’s experiences. Growing up in the 90’s between Queens and Greece, and in the era of classic hip-hop, the designs from Aimé Leon Dore are clean and simple, yet still nostalgic of this time, culminating in sophisticated takes on streetwear. The pieces are minimal and stylish, with collections of clean basics such as sweatshirts and t-shirts. The New York Times described Aimé Leon Dore as a ‘post- streetwear heritage brand’. It has elsewhere been referred to as New York’s answer to A.P.C. The New York inspiration can be seen in the combination of Uptown tailoring with the more vibrant Downtown style. Manufacturing of the collections is maintained in the USA and Canada, to ensure quality materials and construction throughout the process.
Various brands have collaborated with Aimé Leon Dore. In 2015, a collaboration with Puma saw the redesign and update of the classic ‘State’ sneaker. There have been numerous collaborations between Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance, which look to a shared New York heritage and a design to showcase life in this city.
While Aimé Leon Dore pieces can be bought from their own store in New York and online, as well as Selfridges and Net-a-Porter, seasonal drops are highly anticipated and sought after, often selling out quickly.