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Vans has had a busy 2023 thus far.
From Gucci and Supreme to Barbie and Disney, the footwear brand has lent its range of skateboarding-inspired footwear silhouettes to a myriad of big names, in turn, allowing them to upgrade their sneakers with their own brand ethos and identity.
In lieu of Vans’ jam-packed year, we’re compiling a list of their collaborations.
Vans x Tierra Whack
Released on Dec. 3, 2021, Vans collaborated with the “Unemployed” rapper on an extremely colorful footwear and apparel collection. Inspired by the 1980s and Whack’s unique sense of style, the collection centers around the Half Cab, Old Skool and Style 36 sneakers along with a Standard Snow MTE boot all featuring eye-catching graphics cast in bold and inventive hues. The apparel offerings included t-shirts, puffer vests and a reversible bucket hat.
Vans x Collina Strada
Available on Feb 10, the skateboarding-inspired footwear brand collaborated with up-and-coming designer brand Collina Strada on a multi-piece collection featuring extremely vibrant footwear, apparel and accessories. Prices ranged from $25 to $80 for accessories and $90 and up for apparel and footwear. Reworked silhouettes included Vans’ Slip-On 98 DX, high-tops Sk8-Hi and Old Skool Vibram Dx sneakers. Accessories and apparel included socks, hoodies and button-downs among other things.
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Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin
The duo created an upcycled sneaker inspired by garden tools and tote bags. The resulting special-edition Slip-On VP VR3 LX sneakers stay true to the multidisciplinary artist’s affinity for upcycling everyday materials into functional workwear. The collection was released on March 31.
The slip-on style incorporates storage pockets for objects such as gardening materials and work tools across the toe vamp and custom ankle collar straps. The shoe comes in brown/gray and white/green colorways.
Vans x Gucci
The pair launched on April 2023 in three slip-on shoe styles utilizing repurposed Italian luxury label‘s textiles. The collaboration includes revamped versions of their Old Skool, slip-on mule and slip-on sneaker styles featuring grungy eyelets, studs and various floral prints.
The project comes as a part of Gucci Vault’s new Gucci Continuum program — an online design portal where brands are tapped to create products with repurposed materials from Gucci’s archives, emphasizing the importance of creativity and environmental consciousness.
Vault by Vans x Doe
The Shanghai-based label and Vault by Vans collaboration is inspired by Go, a classic abstract strategy board game. The collection was released on April 4 and aimed at reinventing the OG Authentic LX and OG Sk8-Hi LX silhouettes crafted of canvas and suede. Both shoe styles incorporate the Go board’s grid pattern and come in black and white and all-white colorways.
Vans x Haribo
The duo’s sweet collaboration includes a capsule filled with some of Vans’ most iconic silhouettes reinterpreted in vibrant colorways and custom prints. The collection was released on April 6. The capsule includes the Vans x Haribo Sk8-Hi in Haribo black, a kids Classic Slip-On in Haribo Goldbears in red, Vans x Haribo Old Skool V (Velcro) in yellow checkerboard and a Checkerboard Slip-On in a rainbow style.
Vault by Vans x Shane Gonzales
The “Star Spangled Glamour” capsule collection crafted by the duo includes twists on the Old Skool VLT LX, Authentic Zip VLT LX, and Sk8-Hi Reissue Strap VLT LX all in a grunge meets cowboy style. The collection was released on April 7. Style includes denim uppers, silver hardware and embroidered accents among other things.
Vault by Vans x Mastermind World
The duo created a 5-piece capsule that features footwear and apparel and is inspired by Punk culture. The collection was made available on April 28. The collection includes the Vans Sk8-Hi Bolt VLT LX and Old Skool Bolt VLT LX in black and white colorways crafted from Italian leather. The sneakers are accompanied by ultra-soft premium suede quarter panels and custom Mastermind detailing on the heel count.
Additionally, the collection includes Sk8-Hi Reissue VLT LX, Old Skool VLT LX and Authentic VLT LX styles in black and white colorways and with spike hardware, embroidery, and custom Mastermind friction tape.
Vans x Todd Snyder
Vans’ collaboration with the New York-based brand Todd Snyder includes a rendition of the slip-on 98 DX in a tonal olive green “Dirty Martini” hue. The footwear features textural suede uppers. Additionally, the duo’s collaboration introduced a similar 73 DX sneaker that also features the same textural olive green uppers finished with white lace-up closures. The footwear was made available on April 20.
Vans x Supreme
Longtime collaborator and streetwear brand Supreme collaborated with Vans for summer ’23 to create a multi-shoe capsule including three iterations of the Skate Grosso Mid sneaker and a lone Era style. The Vans Skate Grosso Mid colorways include a graphic dollar bill print.
The Era style features an all-over print of a dollar bill throughout the entirety of the canvas upper paired with matching green laces. The collaborative collection was made available on June 1.
Vans x Sesame Street
In collaboration with the children’s television show, Vans revamped their Old Skool and Sk8-Hi Zip styles made to be enjoyed by the entire family. The sneaker collection was released on June 9. The collaborative effort highlights both brands’ dedication to creative discovery by highlighting their “We All Belong” mantra. Each lace-up shoe style includes familiar faces like Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch cast in vibrant colorways.
The collection also includes a skate shoe created by Vans Team Rider Lizzie Armanto aptly dubbed “The Lizzie.” The sneaker features tonal and playful “Sesame Street”-inspired embroidery, a furry “L” eyelet charm and fuzzy laces.
Vault by Vans x WP
Vans collaboration with the Italian-based retailer WP includes a spin on the Authentic 44 DX in three colorways. The footwear is cast in “Black,” “Blue,” and “Red” mixed paisley and patchwork printed canvas uppers, a graphic choice for the brand and its collaborator. The sneaker was made available on June 9.
Vans x Palace Skateboards
Palace Skateboards and Vans teamed up to reimagine a classic skateboarding silhouette for their “Half Cab” collection. The sneaker collaboration was made available on June 23. Available in black, navy, and yellow colorways, the footwear features weather-resistant Gore-Tex uppers with Gore-Tex branding embroidered on the heel counter. Co-branded details appear on the tongue tag and on the lateral side of the shoe.
Vans x Barbie
Joining in on the ever-popular Barbie-mania of 2023, Vans and Mattel created a 10-piece collection inspired by the beloved plastic fantastic doll. The collection was released on July 27.
The collection includes pink imbued 90s-inspired Sk8-Hi Tapered Stackform, AuthenticStackform in “Barbie Pink” in a similar platform style, a bow-embellished Style 93 DX in “Barbie White/ Pink” and cushy psychedelic printed Slide-On VR3Crush in Barbie “Trippy/Multi.” The collection also includes apparel and accessories.
Vans Surf x Mikey February
The footwear brand’s collaboration with the South African surfer Mikey February was available in July 2023 and brought about a footwear and apparel collection all inspired by February’s unmatched style. A standout piece in the collection includes the Ultrarange Neo VR3, a sustainably crafted model featuring a chunky silhouette with eye-catching designs and bold paneling.
Additionally, the collection includes the Authentic VR3 in “Shadow,” Surf Boot 2 Hi V in black and Style 36 Decon VR3 SF sneaker in a rich chocolate-brown hue.
Vans x Mac Miller
In honoring musician Mac Miller, Vans created the “Swimming” low-top Authentic sneaker. The footwear celebrates the five-year anniversary of Miller’s album of the same name released in August 2018, mere weeks before the late rapper’s passing in September of the same year. The sneaker was released on Aug. 3.
The footwear was made in collaboration with Miller’s estate and features a sneaker cast in a black and white colorway while the toes are topped with a white yin-and-yang symbol, a signature of the musician.
Vans x Advisory Board
Vans’ collaboration with Advisory Board Crystals (also known as Abc.) which was released on Aug. 17 saw the reinterpretation of Van’s EVDNT sneaker, a lesser-known Vans style. The footwear includes fire opal-inspired details like transparent holographic, reflective properties, opal patterns and custom Swarovski eyelets. The shoe also features a custom Abc. lace lock, signature pull tabs, collaborative branding and uniquely transparent sole.
Beyond the sneakers, the duo also collaborated on a range of apparel and accessories.
Vans x Futuremade Studio
Vans’ collaboration with the Malaysian fashion brand Futuremade Studio includes two sneakers designed for “everyday use by all people.” Vans’ Sk8-Low and Half Cab silhouettes are cast in neutral tones featuring versatile and textural suede uppers. The sneakers were released on Aug. 10 and released to a wider audience on Aug. 17.
Vault by Vans x Goodfight
The Vault by Vans collaboration with Los Angeles-based fashion label Goodfight was released on Aug. 25 and saw the creation of the OG Style 93 LX sneaker cast in youthful white and black colorways inspired by the classic Mary Jane silhouette.
The low-top unisex style features detachable blossoming orchids along with silver buckle closures that impart a grungy feel. The collaborative effort also included preppy apparel and accessories.
Vans x JJJJound
The collaborative three-shoe project between the duo is inspired by Vans’ Authentic, Slip-On and Sk8-Mid silhouettes. The footwear is inspired by the aesthetic of French court footwear. Each sneaker is cast in a predominantly white color scheme on the canvas upper that’s offset by cream vulcanized midsoles. The kicks will be released on Sept. 14.
Vans x Disney
Vans’ collaboration with the multi-million dollar company in celebration of its 100th Anniversary. Vans’ Sk8 Hi, Knu Skool, Old Skool Stackform, and more are imbued with Disney’s most iconic characters in a range of neutral and fall-centric colorways. Notable motifs featured on the footwear include Lion King‘s Scar and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ Evil Queen among others. The sneakers were released on Oct. 6.
Vans x Tyris Winter
Vans tapped artist Tyris Winter who created an abstract print of multicolored individuals hugging, inspired by the textures of their childhood bedroom walls. The resulting print can be seen across Vans’ signature $90 Old Skool sneakers, making up its paneled uppers alongside brown suede overlay and embroidered counters for an artistic touch. Winter’s work is part of Vans’ Queer Poets collection which also includes artists Kae Tempest and Tegan & Sara. The full collection is currently available on Vans’ website.
Vans x White Mountaineering
Vans partnered with the Japanese streetwear label to reinterpret two of Vans’ signature sneakers, the Chukka 49 DX and low-top Sk8 Low sneakers. Released on Oct. 28, both sneakers were inspired by the great outdoors, similar to the ethos of White Mountaineering’s founder, Yosuke Aizawa. The Chukka is a deep orange and brown while the low-top SK8 sneaker is a tonal blue.
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About the Author
Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.
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