Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi – Sk8 Paradise Pack (Holiday 2014)

Nov 12 14 under Vault | Comments Off

“Renowned designer and artist Taka Hayashi was inspired by the intricate patterns of Mexican embroidery as he developed his latest Vault by Vans release: the “Sk8 Paradise” pack for Holiday 2014. Featuring Vault’s premium editions of the timeless OG Authentic LX and OG Sk8-Hi LX, the upcoming release is highlighted by Hayashi’s own hand-drawn motifs, arranging the likes of skateboards, skeletons and floral embellishments across each shoe’s upper. Capped off with suede overlays and tonal leather binding”

Vans Vault x OTH – “Varsity Pack” Authentic LX (Review by LBIFBACK)

Oct 31 14 under Collaborations, Reviews, Vault, Videos | Comments Off

lbifback.tumblr.com

Vans Vault x Diemme – Collection (Holiday 2014)

Oct 30 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via Complex:

“Vans is going extra luxe this holiday season.

The Southern California skate brand has teamed up with fellow footwear company Diemme to take its signature sneakers to another level. The partnership marks their fourth collaboration and is the most luxurious to date. The collection consists of two updated iterations of the Era and Sk8-Hi, and each one is constructed of premium Horween leather. If you’re up on your leather goods game, then you’ll know that Horween represents nothing but that good stuff. So, it should come as no surprise that the kicks start at $300.

The Montebelluna Era LX ($300) and Montebelluna Hi LX ($350) are decked out in two-tone color schemes of autumn-ready palettes, including hits of brown, tan, and navy. Watch for the entire collection to drop next month at select Vault stockists”

individual pics after the jump Read More

Official UTP Review: Vans Vault x OTH – Varsity Pack Sk8-Hi 46 LX & Authentic LX

Oct 23 14 under Collaborations, Reviews, UTP, Vault | 2 Comments

The Vault by Vans x Off The Hook “Varsity Pack” release is just a few days away, and as we near the end of the year, I start to think back on all of the releases that stood out, and I’ve already made up my mind that these will be in my top 5. That’s a bold statement, but I’m confident I won’t be changing my mind. One close look at the craftsmanship on this pack, and you just might have to agree with me. Both are equally exceptional, and when tasked with designing two totally opposite silhouettes, it can be difficult to give them both a unique identity, without having them look like some horrible set of twins. Think of Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger! Huh? What? Ok bad analogy. What I mean to say, is that these are more like a pair of good looking siblings, featuring both the awesome wool and premium leather traits that their designers came up with, but in their own unique way.

The Authentic is known for having a lot of open space up in the toe area, a perfect place to showcase the fine wool material, in all it’s nappy gray glory. The dark pebbled leather wraps the entire back half of the shoe, completing the varsity jacket aesthetic, and the brown leather accents contrast nicely. They finish off with high-quality red waxed round laces. Square leather laces are also included.

For the Sk8-Hi 46 LX, the premium brown leather steals the spotlight. The Sk8-Hi 46 utilizes a unique two-piece toe box construction, which I assume was for a more durable, work-wear type of shoe. We’ve seen it used before, particularly on the Vault Schaffer Pack, and the added panel and stitching helps add some depth to this shoe’s design, as well as draws more attention to the perfectly tanned leather. The details don’t stop there. For the back half of the shoe, the same wool and pebbled leather combination can be found on the outer panel, and is “flipped” on the inside panel of each shoe, which is dope and allows everyone to see all of the different materials chosen for this shoe, from just about any angle. These are finished off nicely with squared leather laces, and comes with the red round waxed laces as well.

These are a thing of beauty, and I do hope you don’t hesitate to pick these up. They won’t last long. The Authentic ($95 CAD) and Sk8-Hi ($135 CAD) will be available in limited quantity on Saturday, October 25^th at 10AM in store and 12PM in the online store (Eastern time).

tons more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x OTH – Varsity Pack Sk8-Hi 46 LX & Authentic LX (Fall 2014) @OTHboutique #VansOTHVarsity

Oct 21 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Off The Hook in Montreal, Canada has been on a roll lately, and they’re back at it again with a new collaboration project with Vans Vault, dubbed the Varsity Pack. In their signature OTH style that we’ve all come to expect, these feature a mixture of premium leather, and wool, similar to what you’d find on a varsity jacket. The colors chosen for the release fit right into the earth tones of Fall.

Here’s what OTH has to say about their project:

“MONTREAL, QC – We are proud to introduce the Varsity Pack. This fall, Vans OTH was inspired by the Montreal college culture and imagined a collection channeling its authentic varsity style.

The Varsity Pack

More than a hundred years ago, the first hockey club in the world was founded and the first Football game outside the U.S. was played. A student currently in college would go on to invent the sport of Basketball. All of it took place in Montreal. Soon, the university teams’ jackets and sweatshirts were adopted outside the rink, court and field. Admirers of the traditional varsity jacket, we were influenced by the mix of colors and textures on this classic item. The leather and felt pieces – in shades of grey, brown and navy – give a sportswear and college feel to the collection. Finally, the stitching on the Authentic and the paneling of the Sk8-Hi demonstrates our attention to detail and gives a final touch to our varsity look.

The Authentic ($95 CAD) and Sk8-Hi ($135 CAD) shoes will be available in limited quantity on Saturday, October 25^th at 10AM in store and 12PM in the online store (Eastern time).”

more info and pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Bodega – Authentic LX “Fleece Pack”

Oct 8 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via Bodega:

“This fall, Bodega has teamed up with Vans Vault to produce a new version of the Authentic LX. One of the original models from when Vans first opened for business in 1966, the Authentic has become a staple for skaters, surfers, & BMX riders around the globe.

Bodega’s Fleece Pack features two colorways of fleece uppers, metal eyelets, two-tone gum soles, alternate lace options, custom box and dual branding on the tongue and footbed. They retail for $100 USD and will be available Saturday 10/11/14 in-store and online at bdgastore.com.

In the following photoessay, Bodega follows cult bicycle builder Marty Walsh of Geekhouse Bikes as he goes through the process of building a custom frame.”

tons more pics after the jump Read More

LBIFBACK Video Review: Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi – ‘Huarache’ Era LX (Mustang)

Oct 8 14 under Collaborations, Reviews, Vault, Videos | Comments Off

Official UTP Review: Vans Vault x Ringleaders (R.F.C.) x OTH – Prison Issue LX

Oct 3 14 under Collaborations, Reviews, UTP, Vault | Comments Off

As always, if I ever get the chance to get a special release early, I like to put together a little review for those who are impatiently waiting for the drop date, or for those who are on the fence about these. Sometimes the quality and detail doesn’t come through with official press photos, so I like to provide a lot of macro shots. Everyone loves to see a premium full-grain leather up close, displaying each wrinkle, or perhaps a nappy suede with each individual fiber highly focused on. For some, it might be the insoles, lining, bottoms, or even the packaging. Hopefully I’ve left nothing to the imagination, and I hope those who are seeking these, get theirs.

First off, the choice of using a Prison Issue was an awesome idea. This model doesn’t come around often, and if so, it’s buried amongst a lineup of other general releases at your typical Vans store, and the last premium pair we saw were the Vault perforated nubuck edition. The shade of white utilized on this Prison Issue LX is pure, and I’d say it has just a slight tint of gray compared to the all-white Vault leather pack that just re-released. The contrasting blue suede heel strip lets you know these aren’t your average pair, and the very minimal RFC lettering on the side of the heel doesn’t distract from the overall aesthetic. The heel pad lining has the Ringleaders custom logo, as every proper collaboration should include, and the rest of the footbed has a unique black and white pattern on it. Your favorite gum waffle sole finishes these off nicely.

The Ringleaders and O.T.H. did a superb job on these, and I expect them to go quick on Saturday morning. I’d like to shout out Denis and Graeme from OTH, for allowing me to get these early, so that I could share them with you all. I’m not one of those guys that brags about getting connected, or getting stuff early, or for free, or blah blah blah, but I always am humbled by it. I don’t run this site with a purpose to get anything out of it, except for maybe respect, or at the very least, acknowledgment that we are the official gatekeepers of all things Vans, in the realm of sneaker collectors. We care about the details that other sites and reviewers fail to point out, because this is our hobby. Our passion, if you will. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the pics! -Guamstyles

The Vans x OTH, R.F.C. project will be released exclusively at the Vans x OTH store and online on October 4th at 9 am in store and 11 am online (Eastern time). The shoe will be retailed for 130$ CDN . A hoodie, a pin, and a t-shirt with the new Ringleaders branding will also be available in very limited quantities.

tons more hi-res pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Ringleaders (R.F.C.) x OTH – Prison Issue LX (Releasing Oct. 4th #vansringleaders)

Sep 30 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

info via Off The Hook

The Vans x OTH store in Montreal have teamed up with Off The Hook’s long standing soccer club, The Ringleaders Soccer Club (R.F.C) to release a limited edition shoe to celebrate the city’s beloved club and its brotherhood.

In the 70s and 80s, a subculture emerged in the UK, creating a new style phenomenon – the Casual. Originally hailing from Liverpool and Manchester, these groups of supporters dressed in expensive gear from unconventional designers and other sports, thus simultaneously flying under the authorities’ radar and intimidating rivals. These foreign style cues were picked up while following their teams across the continent, and soon became an important reference back home, one that was sought after, yet hard to come by.

Inspired by their love for both fashion and football (soccer), OTH was the catalyst for the creation of R.F.C, who much like this Vault by Vans release aims to honour the Terrace Culture movement.

This Vans x OTH, Vault by Vans R.F.C. shoe is made of white leather, enhanced with a hint of the club’s colour on the heel. In keeping with the “Casual” spirit, the choice of silhouette for this shoe is an unpredictable one: the “Prison Issue”. The Velcro and discreet RFC letters also give it a distinct style. On the inside, the Vans Vault and the Ringleaders logos are paired with stripes, a nod to traditional football (soccer) aesthetics.

The Vans x OTH, R.F.C. project will be released exclusively at the Vans x OTH store and online on October 4th at 9 am in store and 11 am online (Eastern time). The shoe will be retailed for 130$ CDN . A hoodie, a pin, and a t-shirt with the new Ringleaders branding will also be available in very limited quantities.

On a personal note, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a nice Prison Issue. The white premium leather, sitting on top of the all-white vulcanized sole seems to be right on time with a lot of current trends. The custom touches are subtle, yet still let you know that these are special, and the story behind the design just helps reiterate what The Ringleaders were trying to portray. All you football (soccer, futbol, etc.) hooligans need to get your hands on these!

updated with more hi-res pics after the jump

Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi – TH Sk8-Mid Skool LX (Fall 2014)

Sep 28 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via Bows & Arrows:

“Vans Vault designer Taka Hayashi gives the classic ‘Mid Skool’ the LX treatment, featuring an upper made up of premium leather, and a hairy suede toe and heel panel. The embossed leather, unique toe bumper and custom woven labeling showcase Taka Hayashi’s attention to detail.”

Another thing we want to point out, is that this is another entirely new model that is being introduced here. Taka has done an awesome job of creating a hybrid from a Sk8-Hi or mid, and a Mid Skool. I’m a big fan of both models, and I really love the way that this shoe looks. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a part of a more general released line in the future.

Available now on the Bows & Arrows webstore.

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