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Stop and smell the sunflowers, because it’s looking like the summer of Van Gogh. Between the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s feature exhibit on the artist’s Cypresses series and the brand new Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum sneaker collaboration, there’s a painterly panache in the air. Cariuma‘s latest collection of sustainable canvas sneakers depict four dreamy designs inspired by Van Gogh’s famous works, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the artist’s Amsterdam museum. One Footwear News editor put the Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum Oca Low Sunflowers canvas shoes to the test.
If you’ve ever spent a day in a museum soaking up the atmosphere of a Van Gogh painting, you know the artist’s knack for capturing the beauty of nature in vivid brushstrokes. Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum makes for a harmonious collaboration, considering the shoe brand’s sustainability initiatives and careful eco-conscious construction. The Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum sneaker collection celebrates luscious blooms and natural frames painted by the artist, including the recognizable “Sunflowers” and “Wheat Field with Crows” paintings, as well as a special pink Jubilee Flowers print.
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The aesthetic of the artist-inspired sneaker speaks for itself. I mean, it’s hard not to feel starry-eyed about the world-famous sunflower still life planted across the shoe’s upper. The most charming detail of the sneaker collab is the mini Van Gogh self portrait that peeks out of the left shoe’s tongue, almost as if you’re taking the icon along for a stroll. The Impressionist artist’s signature also sits just below the ankle on both the Oca Low and Salvas Sunflowers iterations, while the Oca Low Wheatfields with Crows and Juliee 50 Flower colorways feature his moniker sketched on the shoe’s midsole.
Cariuma OCA Low Shoes Review 2023
The moment I slipped into my pair of the Van Gogh Museum Oca Low Sunflowers sneakers, I realized the memory foam insole was no joke. I stood up, took my first step, and realized this wasn’t just another minimalist canvas sneaker — it’s a comfortable, cushioned one.
I took my Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum sneakers for a spin down Fifth Avenue, and I can vouch that the plush footbed even held up even against the harsh city sidewalks. As I put one foot in front of the other, I felt the Cariuma OCA shoe’s foam mold to my natural foot shape, creating a super smooth glide with each stride and felt stable support through my neutral arches. My ankles suffered zero points of irritation with and without socks, thanks to light padding on the collar. Depending on the brand, my feet fluctuate between a women’s size 7.5 and 8. In Cariuma sneakers, my feet felt right at home by going a half size up — snug and secure, with plenty of wiggle room for mobility. I’ve worn both low- and high-top canvas sneakers my whole life, and though I love the style and the fact that they’re machine-washable shoes, my single qualm was always the hard, flat footbed that left my feet sore and my legs achy. Cariuma’s Oca Lows are the solution to my years-long search.
I love that this gorgeous Van Gogh collaboration arrived just in time for this summer’s skate shoe trend resurgence, too. In recent months, so many celebrities have been sporting Cariuma sneakers — including Bella Ramsey, Ashton Kutcher, Pete Davidson, Nina Agdal, and Whitney Port — whether out and about or while gracing red carpets. Cariuma’s low-profile silhouette, plush support, affordable price point, and earth-loving design come together to make these shoes a cult-favorite.
The Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum sneakers are constructed with 100 percent natural materials, including a cotton canvas upper, Mamona oil-based insole, natural rubber outsole, and laces made of recycled plastics and organic cotton. Plus, with the purchase of a single pair, Cariuma plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest to combat grave deforestation on indigenous land. It’s a win-win: Not only will your feet thank you, Mother Nature will, too.
You can shop the Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum shoe collection now at Cariuma.com in both men’s and women’s sizes 5 to 13, including half sizes. Grab the ethereal, Impressionist-inspired sneakers below, before your size sells out for summer.
How We Tested Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum Sneakers
One Footwear News editor tested the Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum Oca Low Sunflowers Off-White Canvas Sneakers over the course of a week, wearing the shoes on multiple occasions. Our editor assessed the look of the shoes, noting special Van Gogh-inspired details as well as the overall design and versatility of the shoe’s aesthetics. Then, we took the shoes for a test drive to determine the fit and functionality of the shoes. During testing, the editor took notes on the comfort of the shoes while walking short and long distances, paying close attention to the midsole support. Throughout the testing period, our editor wore the sneakers in varying weather conditions to note how they hold up to heat, humidity, and rain.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. Cigliano tested out the Cariuma x Van Gogh Museum over the course of a week to write this review. Learn more about us here.
