Words via Vans:

“The artisan workmanship of ancient Inca cultures offers fertile grounds for design exploration in the modern age. With patterns and colors inspired by pre-Columbian Inca shawls harnessed in the venerable Sk8-Hi silhouette, this Reissue CA version emphasizes the traditional material’s intricacy and complexity by contrasting warm fall tones with a full grain leather color pop sidestripe undulating across the side panels. In Bronze Brown and Olive Night, suede overlays on vamp, eyestay, and heel combined with a canvas lining, suede lining on the tongue, and tonal laces ground this high-top in the earthy cohesion of color and form conceived long before it was called “design”.”  Purchase the shoes now by clicking on the pic above and below.  Support OTWS!

Centuries ago, the women of Mali’s Bamana culture began to relay the breadth and depth of their heritage into art and fabric. To this day, Bògòlanfini, or “mudcloth”, speaks of Africa through the broad strokes of its graphics and rich textures that have influenced contemporary lifestyles everywhere, whether in their bustling cities or walking down their runways. Within the framework of the beloved Chukka Boot silhouette, warm earth tones alternate in contrasting zigzag and blocked stripe patterns to ground modern appeal in the traditions of authentic history. Black suede overlays, tongue and vamp combined with black rope laces, copper antique finish eyelets and an unobtrusive black collar hangflag come together in a classic Vans shoe that is known for innovative design.  Available now by clicking on the pic above!  Support OTWS!

Vans’ history and its life-long bond with the skate and surf culture began in 1966 in Southern California and the rolling out of a single pair of shoes: the Authentic. Generations since have embraced this simple beacon of the Vans heritage for its unbiased effectiveness, recognizable design, and versatility. As a member of the California Collection, the Authentic picks from a vast material trove and inventive color and pattern palette, and this year looks back a few centuries, when the women of Mali’s Bamana culture began to relay the breadth and depth of their heritage into art and fabric. To this day, Bògòlanfini, or “mudcloth”, speaks of Africa through the broad strokes of its graphics and rich textures that have influenced contemporary lifestyles everywhere, whether in their bustling cities or walking down their runways. Warm earth tones alternate in contrasting zigzag and blocked stripe patterns to ground modern appeal in the traditions of authentic history. Waxed laces, copper antique finish eyelets, and pigskin hang flags accentuate this Authentic CA silhouette. Available now by clicking on the pic above.  Support OTWS!

The classic Old Skool silhouette, one of Vans’ first reinforced skate shoes, invites versatile design finesse thanks to an exact and calibrated construction. This season’s California Collection interpretation of the time-honored silhouette in a Henna/Camo colorway features stonewashed camo textile on quarter underlays and tongue inspired by vintage hunting bags. A worn appearance coupled with premium vegetable tan leather overlays, a gum rubber foxing stripe, vintage hiking laces, the characteristic embossed suede emblem, and a visa terry lining breathe heritage design through every fiber. As the final link, a dark brown suede sidestripe ties a tried and true Vans style to a contemporary design aesthetic. Purchase now by clicking on the photo above, and support OTWS!