While the first ever full Vans x BAPE collaboration is set to be released at the end of the month (article available HERE), the legendary California brand unveils an elaborate collection with the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA). This project aims to celebrate culture, creativity and California.
This museum wishes to open the way of art to all. Since the beginning of 2020, admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles is free. The goal is to allow people from low socio-economic backgrounds to discover, appreciate art and why not start creating art.
Comprised of the SK-8 Hi, Slip-On, Authentic, Old Skool and EVDNT UltimateWaffle silhouettes, this special collection celebrates art by featuring works by artists who are valued within MOCA. It also includes textile pieces.
According to the Vans website, it will be released in 2 parts during November.
The first drop is led by ’80s graphic design icons Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar. The white canvas silhouettes are dressed with graphic patterns such as green circles, blue squares or red triangles, more or less imposing depending on the model. The MOCA branding is reinterpreted in a graphic way and can also appear in charcoal grey. Co-branded insoles and white vulcanized soles complete the look.
The second drop features California artists Judy Baca, Brenna Youngblood and Frances Stark. It includes a footwear selection with a matching apparel capsule.
The Vans Old Skool and Authentic silhouettes are reinvented with inspiration from Judy Baca’s wall art, including « Hitting the Wall, Women in the Marathon » from 1984, and « The World Wall: Triumph of the Hearts » from 1990. These colorful illustrations also appear on an off-white jacket and t-shirt, as well as a blue hoodie.
For culture, Judy Baca’s most famous work is « The Great Wall of Los Angeles » (1974-1984), painted in the San Fernando Valley. It was created in collaboration with over 400 local youth and their families to illustrate the strong and lasting power of community.
Benna Youngblood develops the idea that art is about assemblage, combining found materials and salvaged artifacts. She brings her unique style to the timeless Authentic silhouette and the popular Slip-On. The former comes in a multi-colored, abstract paint look. While the latter features a light grey-white marbled design on the forefoot, leading to colorful button-up prints on the top of the silhouette. The artist’s name embroidered on the side of the shoe and co-branded insole finalize the design.
Frances Stark is an avid fan of Southern California subcultures, including skate, punk and rap music. The reinterpreted beige Old Skool silhouette is adorned with her handmade grey illustrations of L.A. streets, like a road map. The black SK8-Hi features a photographic style print celebrating skateboarding and skateboarders on the side panels. The sneakers will be paired with a beige crewneck featuring graphics on the sleeves and a white short sleeve tee with a reworked Vans « off the wall » slogan and illustration related to the Old Skool design.
The MOCA x Vans collection is set to be released in November. For now, Vans has only communicated the date of the second drop which will take place on November 12, 2021, in stores and on vans.com. The first drop may be launched as a surprise before that date or has simply been delayed… We’re keeping a close eye on the partners’ social networks, stay tuned !
