Vans Collaborations: a complete guide
If you’re not even remotely into sneakers, you’ll know about Vans. It doesn’t matter what part of the sneaker community you happen to fall under. The legendary skate brand has been around long enough that its name has become synonymous with a large section of both pop culture and style. Along the way, we’ve witnessed some of the most iconic Vans collaborations ever.
From leaders in hype-culture to underrated alternatives, Vans has likely worked with your favorite brand at some point.
It’s a testament to the brand’s longevity in the sneaker game. It’s also a good way to understand how prevalent Vans have been in sections like skate culture. We take a look back at some of our all-time favorite Vans collaborations.
Supreme x Vans
Supreme x Vans Floral Pack 2013By far, this one should go down as the most memorable – and culturally significant – Vans collab ever. This might encourage a few eye-rolls. After all, Supreme can pretty much sell anything they decide to slap their logo on (still haven’t heard back from them concerning my Supreme label fruit idea).
Nonetheless, this wasn’t always the case. Back in 1996, the now hugely popular brand was ultimately playing second fiddle to Vans. The Cali-life association with Vans was so huge and prevalent throughout the 80s and early 90s and Supreme was just sort of gaining some footing. If you can imagine it, Supreme had a hard time bringing this thing together.
Supreme x Vans Sk8 Mid ProWhen both partners did manage to make it happen, we ended up getting some gems. The first model to come out of this collaboration was the Vans Old Skool. In the 1990s, this sneaker had earned quite the reputation among skating community and in a few fashion circles. Slapping on a Supreme tag on the lacing bed, this was one of our first glimpses at the logo hype we see today.
Supreme x Vans Old Skool Camo (2015)The years would prove profitable for both Vans and Supreme as they partnered on a number of other drops. Most recently, this collaboration is highlighted by a Skull Pile print on the Sk8-Hi and Slip-On models. Our best guess? These two aren’t remotely done dropping fire.
Stussy x Vans
This is about as natural as a collaboration gets. It’s fitting that two giants in the California skate and surf scene get together for a joint release. Back in 2014, each of these names had survived some struggles in both domestic and international markets.
Vans and Stussy had withstood the test of time and established equal positions in the skate culture lexicon. You weren’t a skater if you didn’t at least know one of those names, if not both.
It was in this year, 2014, that we a saw a Spring/ Summer collection release collaboratively. This pack included three models – Sk8-Hi LX, Style 36 LX, and the Era LX. Each of these was decorated with some boisterous graphics via Shawn Stussy himself.
Stussy x Vans OG Style 36 LX (2014)That initial project is dark in contrast to their 2017 release. This time, the collaboration would center around the Classic Slip-On LX, Chukka LX, and Old-Skool LX models. They pulled out all the stops on these bad boys, fitting each in some truly premium details.
The uppers featured the use of materials such as premium leathers, pigskin suede, and even a helping of 10 oz. drill canvas. The aesthetic was nothing to mess with either. Packing on the Summer vibes via shades of Blue and Pink, each shoe also boasted the recognizable ‘Stussy International’ logo tape throughout their midsoles.
It’s appropriate that Vans chose their legendary Vault line for this release. In both 2014 and 2017, the Vans Vault collection provides premium editions of the brand’s most memorable models. Bringing that sense of quality to the Stussy aesthetic produces a Vans collaboration dripping with hype.
Gosha Rubchinskiy x Vans
The Supreme and Stussy collabs were no surprise, of course. Being such a big name in skate culture meant that Vans had a respectable position from which to make those propositions. With that being said, it turns out the brand is also well recognized in the world of high fashion.
In 2015, Gosha Rubchinskiy took his very particular eye for style to some OG Vans models. The Vans Sk8-Hi stood out in particular, combining premium leather builds and old-school rubber tooling.
Rubchinskiy’s aesthetic, inspired by Russian youth culture, has always made good use of darker color blocking and minimalist branding notes. On a model like the Sk8-Hi, that approach worked beautifully.
The legendary designer also reinterprets the Slip-On. The main draw on these gems, released in both a Black and White colorway, was a rising sun graphic all throughout. The builds on this release involved use of cotton canvas uppers, keeping in line with the Vans design philosophy.
Odd Future x Vans
Hip-hop and skate culture have had a longstanding and interesting connection. Consequently, there have been many occasions when skateboarding – and/or its associated styles – has crossed over into the world of rappers. Though that history spans back quite a way, Odd Future is among exceptions to the rule in their approach.
Spearheaded by Tyler The Creator, the rap/ media collective was a natural fit for another Vans collaboration idea. In 2016, a time that felt like the eclectic rapper was only growing in stardom, Odd Future x Vans finally becomes a reality.
Two classic Vans models were the subject of this collaborative release, the Sk8-Hi and the Authentic. True to Odd Future’s nature, the final product was a truly memorable release. Each shoe took on a bright Teal color scheme, joined by an all-over doughnut graphic print throughout.
The materials were upgraded as well. The canvas uppers gave way to lush layers of suede, offering a premium touch. But, frankly, the materials are hardly the point.
This collab drops not long after Tyler’s Golf Wang fashion label debut. Sporting a bright aesthetic and an irreverent print scheme, these pairs of Vans classics mirrored Tyler’s vision.
It was also perhaps the best example of the boisterous and uninhibited world of skateboarding coming alive on a sneaker release.
Peanuts x Vans
Another remarkable quality that Vans represent is the ability to tap into our childhoods and give us something truly dope. Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts characters are part of some strong memories for a lot of us. Knowing that would make this collaboration a bit of a no-brainer for both partners.
With that being said, it’s not quite so straightforward. Cartoon graphics and imagery often come with a little bit of extra pop. That can often be difficult to work into the formalized design of most shoes. In the case of Vans, however, it turns out beautifully.
In fact, this partnership has been going strong for quite some time. Specifically, Peanuts x Vans have been churning out bangers since the early 1980s.
Some of the latest from the collaboration has included more of that good momentum. An all-over graphic print of Schulz’s iconic cartoon characters adorns a memorable rendition of the classic Slip-On model.
Equally as impressive, the latest Peanuts x Vans iteration of the Old Skool sees the upper decked with Chevron side stripes. We even get a “Good Grief” script on the tongue.
We even get a good helping of clothing from this collab. Of course, we couldn’t forget about our main man Snoopy – a Peanuts collection just wouldn’t be complete with the little guy!
To that end, the most swag-dripping dog in history is seen on hoodies, t-shirts, and even on a backpack, heavy doses of steez included.
Shoutout to some authentic nostalgia from the Vans x Peanuts collection.
Vans x Spongebob
Sticking with the cartoon theme, there was no way we could go without including this incredible gem of a collab from the Vault by Vans branch. Here, the brand joins forces with what must now be considered a contemporary classic.
More than the importance of the cartoon in and of itself, the colors associated with the show are as bright and loud as can be. As you can imagine, this makes for quite the bold collection.
This special release also happened to be bolstered by the premium qualities of the Vault collection. Vans has long held this separate section of their brand as a way to put some more high-quality spins on their classic silhouettes. Surprisingly, this year marks the first and only time that the Spongebob imagery has been used by Vans.
The results of this particular collaboration include all-over prints on models such as the Sk8-Hi, creative Spongebob detailing on the Slip-On, and boisterous finishes on the Authentic. Featuring original artwork of Spongebob, Patrick, and Plankton, upgraded materials adopt a host of undersea imagery.
This list feels short to us, but we’re looking forward to adding on to it as Vans keeps hitting us with heat!
Image Credits:
Supreme x Vans Floral Pack 2013 (Cult Edge); Supreme x Vans Old Skool Camo 2015 (Sneakers Love Portugal); Vans x Stussy (HYPEBEAST), Stussy x Vans OG Style 36 LX 2014 (FLiPER Mag); Gosha Rubchinskiy x Vans (Upscale Hype); Odd Future x Vans (HUH Magazine); Peanuts x Vans (Sneaker Freaker);