Month: May 2021

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are felt across the entire world, especially for small businesses who continue to powere through everyday to keep their doors open. Vans’ Foot the Bill initiative strives to help such establishments and its next move calls upon LA-based imprint Kids of Immigrants to assist with the design of a special Sk8-Hi for Mi Vida — a handmade shop based in Highland Park — and a Slip-On that’s devoted to Mandarin Noodle House of Monterey Park.”Shop Mi Vida and Mandarin Noodle House came to us by way of community”, the Kids of Immigrants stated when speaking on the partnership. We were inspired by both businesses and their commitment to supporting and uplifting their own communities. We are happy to partner with Vans and Foot The Bill program in supporting small businesses, especially in tough times. The UNITY of CommUNITY creates OpportUNITY.”For Mi Vida, Kids of Immigrants decorates its side paneling with cool aqua backgrounds that sport cacti graphics, starry shapes and a banner that spells out the aforementioned business. Suede overlays are treated with a darker blue hue and come offset by vibrant pink lace loops and clean white laces. Its release sibling — the Slip-On that’s dedicated to Mandarin Noodle House — kicks off with jade green front panels that are decorated with the restaurant’s logo and a Chinese symbol that rests dead in the center. The mid-foot receives an off-white outer and comes mated with a brown heel overlay. Red trim is found along the ankle while a strip of yellow is applied to the midsole.Both pairs are available right now via Vans’ online store for $100 USD (Sk8-Hi) and $90 USD (Slip-On).For more footwear news, check out Vans’ latest “Grosso Forever” capsule that honors Jeff Grosso.

Breana Geering is one of the hottest newcomers to come out of Canada’s burgeoning skateboarding scene, and now the British Columbia native has worked with Vans on a skate-centric capsule collection.Centered around two sneakers — the Skate Old Skool and Skate Era — Geering’s collaboration puts a focus on wearability. “I wanted it to be special and personal. I really made it my own by adding in some of my own little doodles to the back of the shoe and the insole. I really wanted to make a nice, simple shoe that people would be stoked to wear, to skate or to the bar,” said Geering.The capsule is a nod to gender neutrality, as nothing in the capsule is geared towards a certain person or orientation. Instead, it’s about being able to look good and skate well in something that’s comfortable no matter who you are. As a result, we find a “Port”-colored Skate Old Skool that’s made up of suede and faux debossed snakeskin leather on the quarters, which is all contrasted by a black sole unit.Rounding out the Skate Old Skool is an array of doodles by Geering on the heel, as well as a checkerboard tab on the quarter. For something even more wearable, there’s the Skate Era. Served in “Marshmallow” suede and leather (using the same debossed effect), we find a black midsole and finishing touches such as a checkerboard tab and brushed gold eyelets.Rounding out the collaborative collection is a range of garments that suit the sneakers for a full Geering-approved look. With this in mind, there’s a tour tank top, plaid pants, Sturdy Stretch chinos, a black cotton canvas workwear jacket, a hat, and a tote bag, all sporting unique Geering-penned doodles and details.Take a look at the Breana Geering x Vans Skate capsule collection in the lookbook above, and shop the entire range in-store or on Vans’ website now.In case you missed it, here’s a closer look at the latest Craig Green x adidas Originals collaboration.

Cottweiler and Reebok are back for another collaborative shoe. This time, the two labels have teamed up for a a sleek glow-in-the-dark iteration of the Zig 3D Storm Hydro — a follow-up to last year’s collaboration.The shoe features a sleek low-profile build with a handful of hi-tech materials that provide ample comfort and support. Much of the shoe is decorated with light earth tone palettes, complemented by black rubber panels. A long semi-translucent “Sheltershield” lace guard is placed at the top of the shoe, covering a small elastic lacing system and a bit of the corduroy upper quarters that extend all the way to the toebox. There’s a thin purple strip along the sidewall that’s barely noticeable under normal light but glows in the dark alongside some reflective details near the toecap. Furthermore, “Cottweiler” branding is placed on the rear quarters, while a futuristic two-toned midsole finishes off the shoe’s bold design.The Cottweiler x Reebok Zig 3D Storm Hydro “Dark Orchid” is currently available on Solebox’s website for €180 EUR (approximately $216 USD).In case you missed it, check out Reebok’s Kamikaze II Low in a buzzy “Alert Yellow” colorway.