Vans Vault x Sole Classics – OG Runner LX “Kitchi” (6.25.16) #soleclassics @soleclassics

Jun 21 16 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Sole Classics teased us the other day via Instagram, with their next Vault by Vans collaboration, featuring a water colors portrait of a bear, titled “The Story of Kitchi”. Until today, there hasn’t been a single leaked photo of this release, and perhaps for good reason. The newly retro’d Runner model is a bold direction for Vans, and what better way to kick things off, than with a few collaborative designs. Kitchi is another one of those local folklore stories, of a native boy who used the Ohio river to save himself, and his village. Sole Classics does a great job of representing for their local area, and constantly sharing who they are. Not sure about y’all, but I feel like I get much more than just a shoe whenever I buy one of SC’s collabs. If anyone walks up to you and says “What are those?”, you’ll have the opportunity to sit them down for a few minutes and tell them a nice story. Sole Classics brings the people together!

Here’s what they have to say about their latest shoe:

“The Sole Classics OG Runner collaboration with Vans is a perfect blend between two worlds. The runner is outfitted primarily in a rich leather and neoprene, two materials that are not normally seen together. The goal being to pay homage to the premium qualities that make up Vans’ Vault line, but also be unique enough together to push the brand’s “Off The Wall” heritage. The pair comes with minor details such as 3M sidestripe lining and a set of alternate 3M laces, logo hits on the heel and a gold “X” to commemorate Sole Classics’ 10th year in business. The colorway of the shoe represents a bit of local folklore as it draws inspiration from a native tail of a boy who used the Ohio river to save himself, and his village. All together, with the new silhouette you have the makings of an instant classic”.

THE STORY OF KITCHI

Sole Classics x Vans OG Runner LX “Kitchi”
Release date: Saturday, June 25th at 9am ESTexclusively at Sole Classics, and Noon EST online at SoleClassics.com
Retail $150

more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Blends x Born Free – OG Old Skool LX (6.25.16)

Jun 20 16 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Southern California-based boutique Blends, and Vans Vault partner up with classic/custom motorcycle show Born Free to recreate the classic Vans model, the Old Skool. For those not familiar with the classic/custom motorcycle scene Born Free is a yearly gathering of builders and bike enthusiasts in the Orange County region of Southern California where enthusiasts and builders from all over the globe meet to showcase their rare builds and findings (more information can be found at www.bornfreeshow.com). Here and there Blends has hinted their love and involvement in the classic motorcycle scene with their Max Schaaf release party at their Santa Ana location where hundreds of builders participated in motorcycle shop-talk. A Couple years back Blends anchored the campaign of their ’Bone Jazz Stripe’ Old Skool Zip LX release with Grant Peterson, co-founder of Born Free.

Blends takes focus on subtleties once again with this shoe, maintaining a more ‘lifestyle appropriate’ Old Skool design. The focus on the design was to create a shoe that made sense for everyday use of motorcycle builders/riders and nothing else. The brand maintains the canvas and suede makeup of the traditional Old Skool but adding an ‘American’ flare on the Jazz-Stripe with waxed flat cotton shoestrings and the iconic Vans checkerboard pattern detail underlying a translucent waffle outsole. Cross-branding details are noticeable on the shoe’s sole insert.

The Blends designed Vans Vault x Born Free OG Old Skool LX can be purchased this weekend at Born Free at the Blends vendor booth, and then on Blendsus.com Monday June 27th, after the show is over. For more details/information head over to Blends’ webstore to view more.

more pics after the jump

Vans Vault x DQM – 101’s Sk8-Hi Reissue LX (6.18.16)

Jun 14 16 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via DQM:

“DQM will be releasing its Summer 16 footwear collection in collaboration with Vans this Saturday, June 18th. Back to the beginning: skateboarding 101. As the sport of skateboarding was still emerging in the early 80s, its fashion was influenced by the colors and style of the times more than any specific skateboarding culture in and of itself: bright colors, bold fabrics and flashy graphics, and in NYC specifically, basketball style, tony sports culture, hip-hop style. Skateboarding in the 80s was owned by skateboarders; skateboard companies were run by skateboarders, and a feeling of youth and completely free expression permeated skateboarding fashion, there was no other marketing agenda.

The 101’s modernize some of our favorite details and silhouettes from these times in an updated Sk8-Hi Reissue LX. Pared back to simple fabrics in classic team colors, they have a vintage sports feel characterized by 80s and 90s East Coast skateboarding. Constructed in canvas with a premium leather side stripe and heel, details include a nylon tongue facing, cotton terry cloth tongue backing, removable striped ankle strap and The Vans DQM General logos in the footbed and at the heel tab. Available in three colors: black, white and navy.

Made exclusively for DQM and produced in a limited edition, the Sk8-Hi Reissue LX ‘101’s’ will be available in men’s and women’s sizes at The Vans DQM General in SoHo, New York as well as online on June 18th.”

Photography by Dominic Neitz and Kevin Trageser. Worn by Dustin Eggeling in the Lower East Side, New York.

more pics after the jump

Vans Japan x Mastermind – Sk8-Hi Zip, Era, & Slip-On (Summer 2016)

Jun 10 16 under Collaborations, Japan Only | Comments Off

Mastermind Japan has finally released some official pics of their latest Vans collaboration, and it looks like the line-up will consist of a Sk8-Hi with a side zipper, an Era, and a Slip-On, all in the Co.JP construction. Each pair features premium black leather, and a half black/half white vulcanized sole. Mastermind’s “skull & crossbone” branding can be seen prominently throughout each shoe, so you can let others know you’re all about that Japanese high fashion. There are also 3 t-shirts being offered up this time. Mastermind always does a killer job with their designs, or maybe I’m just partial to black and white. Anyways, there is a pre-order up right now for the entire collection over at California Dept., but it’s a Japan exclusive, so unless you’re in Japan, or are saavy with the proxy sites, forget about getting these!

more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Proper – Nautical Pack Native American & Authentic LX Re-Release (Available Now!)

Jun 7 16 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Long Beach’s premier sneaker boutique, Proper, recently discovered some back stock of their Vans Vault collab from 2008, centered around a unique nautical theme, but releasing in the Winter, with the understanding that most sneakerheads buy their kicks and let them sit on ice for awhile before breaking them out. At the time, this pack was trend-setting. They pretty much created the Chukka Del Barco, which became very successful for a few years, making it’s way through the Vault, Cali, and GR lines. The Native American was also a pretty much unheard-of model, except for those in the Vintage Vans world. The one-piece Authentic was also a first of it’s kind, which just goes to show the level of detail and creativity that Proper had. Keep in mind, their prior collab were the satin Sk8-Hi pack, which was also untouched at the time. While this re-release doesn’t include every model from the set, both one-piece Authentic LX’s, and the blue Native American LX are available in a variety of sizes from Mens 4-13. Don’t sleep! Head on over to Proper’s webstore to see what’s left.

more pics after the jump

Vans Japan x Mister Hollywood – Authentic JP (2016)

Jun 7 16 under Collaborations, Japan Only | Comments Off

Words and info via Strictly Waffles:

“A few months ago, we got a glimpse at an Authentic JP from M. HOOLYWOOD out of Japan. Now, we get full images and purchasing info. N. HOOLYWOOD chose the Authentic silhouette with a white and turtle dove premium leather and suede upper. While we love the color and material blocking, the typography work is what jumps at you. N. HOOLYWOOD went with a calligraphy styled printing of a sentence every designer is familiar with: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” This is a sentence that is used to display typography because it uses all 26 letters of the English alphabet. It’s a great choice to show their design roots and it really speaks to us. And everyone knows we like midsole printing. The word work is printed on the laces, midsole, and, something we have never seen before, around the top edge of the foot hole. Pretty awesome stuff.

The N. HOOLYWOOD x Vans Authentic JP is available now from the MISTER HOLLYWOOD webstore. Retail price is 17,280¥ (~$157USD) and they are going fast.”

more pics after the jump

Vans Japan x Mastermind – Era & Sk8-Hi (Summer 2016)

Jun 7 16 under Collaborations, Japan Only | Comments Off

Vans Japan has once again teamed up with high-fashion label Mastermind, to come up with two new Vans shoes for the Japan-exclusive market. This time they chose the Sk8-Hi again, but added an Era to the mix. Right now, there’s only a few Instagram teasers of each shoe, but you get a pretty good idea of what to expect. The Sk8-Hi is constructed entirely in leather, with a white jazz stripe, vulc sole, laces, and side ankle zipper. The Era is also wrapped entirely in black leather, and features the clear checkerboard soles that we saw on the 2011 Sk8-Hi Zip, but the vulc soles are black with a white toe bumper. Interesting to say the least! As with most of Mastermind’s stuff, expect to pay a pretty penny for them, that is, if you can even source them, since they’ll be exclusive to Japan.

Vans x Nintendo – Capsule Collection “Official Info” (6.3.16) #VansxNintendo

Jun 1 16 under Collaborations, General Release | Comments Off

Words via Vans:

“Gamers, it’s time to power up as Vans and Nintendo, the ultimate two-player partnership, unveil an extensive collection of footwear, apparel and accessories celebrating the early days of video games. Vans presents exclusive graphic prints using 8-bit inspired artwork and characters from Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda, as well as an assortment inspired by Nintendo’s first console, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Set to release June 3, this coveted collection will be available in adults and children’s sizing, making it ideal for Vans and Nintendo fans of all generations.

The Vans x Nintendo Classic footwear assortment kicks off with four variations of the Authentic silhouette. Travel to the Mushroom Kingdom for the first colorway, the Super Mario Bros. Tie-Dye, which showcases an all-over character print of Mario alongside several “power-ups” and the villainous Goomba over an 8-bit tie-dye pattern. A second color-up features the original damsel in distress, Princess Peach, awaiting rescue from her brave hero. Duck Hunt comes to life atop a digi-camo backdrop featuring the hunting dog and flying duck, and the final execution of the Authentic is an ode to Donkey Kong and incorporates imagery from its first level to present the title character in a unique floral arrangement. Vans’ iconic lace-free silhouette, the Classic Slip-On, appears in the sneaker lineup with graphics and quotes from The Legend of Zelda. A Sidestriped trio of the Sk8-Hi, Old Skool and Sk8-Hi Slim for women pay homage to the NES with prints and colors inspired by the console. Lace-up styles are trimmed with special details including Nintendo game logos on the tongue label and NES controller lace caplets. For the greatest feature, kick up your heels to reveal Vans iconic waffle sole printed with ‘Game Over!’

To present a throwback-styled, head-to-toe look, the Vans x Nintendo collaboration extends into apparel and accessory items for men and women. Co-branded tees, backpacks, bags, socks and hats are offered in prints that tie back to the Classic footwear.

Vans invites the newest generation to join in on the fun with sneaker styles sized down to youth and toddler fits. Tiny tykes can get their hands on patterns designed just for kids with characters from Mario Kart and Super Mario Bros. across the Sk8-Hi Zip, Classic Slip-on and Authentic.

The Vans x Nintendo collection is available to all gamers around the world with the collection available this Friday in the US and at international retailers throughout the month. Travel through the warp zone and visit vans.com/Nintendo to shop or find a store near you”.

#VansxNintendo

more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi – TH Buffalo Trail LX (Simply Taupe) (Video Review by LBIFBACK @AKAMEDANIEL)

May 27 16 under Collaborations, Reviews, Vault, Videos | Comments Off

Vans Vault x Highsnobiety – Old Skool LX “Sand” (Friends & Family 2016)

May 26 16 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via Highsnobiety:

“For the latest chapter of Highsnobiety‘s #HSDecade, we team up with Vans, the world’s first skateboarding imprint, for a limited edition Old Skool. Our ties with the OG California skate brand go way back to the early days of Highsnobiety, so we’re excited to finally have our own collaboration with the brand’s specialist Vans Vault line.

Following the unveiling in our Paris editorial, we now present a closer look at the family and friends-only Highsnobiety x Vans Vault Old Skool “Sand.” Imagined in a buttery sand-colored make-up, our exclusive Old Skool boasts a fully tonal upper, riding on a classic white midsole, coming complete with co-branded sole inserts.

Unfortunately these are limited to friends and family only, however head over to the Highsnobiety Store to see what other #HSDecade collaborations are still available.”

more pics after the jump Read More