“Vans has just given us a look at its Lunar New Year “Year of the Rat” collection. With a little over a month until Chinese New Year 2020, we take a look at the three models that are part of the special pack. Arriving in the form of the Sk8-Hi, Era Lacey, and Comfycush Slip-Skool, Vans has elected to work with Beijing/Los Angeles-based artist Zhao Zhao.
The former assistant to Ai Weiwei has chosen to interpret the daily travels of a city rat onto each pair. Each sneaker adorns the perspective of a street rat and the various city elements the animal is exposed to while foraging on a daily basis. The pack is comprised of three silhouettes; the Vans Era, constructed in monotone suede with a conceptualized rat hole penetrating from toe to heel; the Sk8-Hi, made to resemble a network for underground tunnels; and finally, the Comfycush Slip-Skool, which sees a network graphic upper under a translucent layer. All three pairs feature a multi-layered Vans “Off the Wall” rubber heel stamp that is meant to signify the rat’s tail.”
These are starting to release across Asia, but a few US spots have also received these, like Hot Rod, and The Darkside Initiative, so ask around if you’re looking for these!
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